Russia: 16k killed by so-called moderate militants in Syria

Russia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations says more than 16,000 people were killed by US-backed terrorists between February and September in Syria.

“From February to September the opposition groups that are supposed to be under the US control committed 2,031 violations of the [cessation of hostilities], which claimed lives of 3,532 military personnel and 12,800 civilians,” said a statement released by the mission on Saturday.

While noting that Russia has completely carried out all its obligations -- including negotiations with the Syrian government -- towards launching a ceasefire in the war-torn country, the mission states that the US has failed to uphold its end of the bargain and carry out negotiations with the so-called moderate opposition groups.

“Russia guaranteed the implementation of the [cessation of hostilities] by the Syrian government. The US on the other hand was not capable to insure the implementation of the [cessation of hostilities] by the armed groups,” it said, adding that “Furthermore, the US failed to fulfill their February promise to separate al-Nusra Front terrorists from ‘moderate’ opposition.” 

Moscow has long insisted that the so-called moderate opposition groups in Syria should leave the areas held by terrorists, which are targeted in the Russian air campaign.

SS