The US warns that talks with Russia over Syria are near breaking point. John Kerry, US Secretary of State told reporters on Thursday that Moscow’s continued support for the Syrian regime’s unprecedented assault on Aleppo is testing American patients. The Kremlin, however, promised to push ahead with the campaign.
Kerry, speaking at the Washington Ideas Forum – an public policy event hosted by The Atlantic – said that
We’re on the verge of suspending the discussion. It’s irrational in the context of the kind of bombing taking place to be sitting there and trying to take things seriously
The secretary went on,
I’m very, very dissatisfied with where we are in Syria [I feel] extremely concerned about where it is going and what will happen to the people of Syria … if a more rational and moral-based common-sense approach is not found to deal with the situation
Since the collapse of the US-Russia brokered ceasefire on 19 September, the tables have shifted considerably in the Al-Assad regime’s favour, though the unprecedented scale of the campaign has brought a large humanitarian cost.
Opposition cadres have counter attacked, focusing on the central city of Hama, where they claim to have made gains.
The US and EU have both suggested that the Kremlin deliberately undermined peace talks with the goal of pursuing a military victory. They have also both argued that the Syrian regime and Russia are guilty of attacking civilians.
The US also said that the Russian and regime-led assault – which also includes fighters form Lebanon, Iran and Iraq – on Aleppo was “a gift” to Daesh, specifically describing it as an effective recruiting tool for the extremist group.