Russia is engaged in 'barbarism' in Syria: US envoy at UN

The United States says Russia is not engaged in a “counter-terrorism” effort in Syria rather what it is doing there is “barbarism”.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power made these remarks during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Sunday where America and Britain demanded Moscow and Damascus halt airstrikes in the Syrian city of Aleppo.

"What Russia is sponsoring and doing is not counter-terrorism. It is barbarism," Power told the 15-member council.

"Instead of pursuing peace, Russia and Assad make war. Instead of helping get life-saving aid to civilians, Russia and Assad are bombing the humanitarian convoys, hospitals and first responders who are trying desperately to keep people alive," Power said.

Meanwhile, the British ambassador to the UN accused Moscow and the government of President Bashar al-Assad of committing war crimes against Syrians.

"It is difficult to deny that Russia is partnering with the Syrian regime to carry out war crimes," said Matthew Rycroft, adding that the Russian weaponry had inflicted "a new hell" on Syrians.

The controversial statements come days after American and British airstrikes killed at least 62 Syrian soldiers in the Syrian city of Dayr al-Zawr, while surrounded by Takfiri terrorists in an airport.

Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, has been divided since 2012 between government forces in the west and foreign-backed terrorists in the east, making it a frontline battleground.

SS