Russia Increases Strikes on Illegal Oil Transport Routes in Syria
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Russian warplanes have increased airstrikes against illegal oil production sites and oil smuggling routes in Syria since May 20, head of the Russian General Staff Lt. Gen. Sergey Rudskoy said Friday.
According to him, Moscow and Washington have agreed on the need to decrease the economic potential of the terrorist groups Daesh (ISIL) and Al-Nusra.
"The discussion on the issue has been held among top experts. Since May 20, we have increased airstrikes against illegal oil production sites and smuggling routes to Turkey," Sergey Rudskoy said.
"Unfortunately, aside from their persistent requests not to hit al-Nusra Front targets due to the fact that units of the so-called 'moderate opposition' could be nearby, our American partners have not taken any decisive steps," he added.
Despite the agreement between the United States and Russia, the issue of drawing out zones controlled by the so-called moderate opposition and terrorists in Syria remains open, according to he top military official who was speaking in a briefing.
“Despite the agreements reached between the United States and Russia, the issue of drawing out zones controlled by the ‘moderate opposition’ from territory occupied by Nusra Front militants has not been agreed upon, which won’t allow for an effective fight against this terrorist organization. The question arises as to when the American side will take measures on separating formations from the ‘moderate opposition’ from the territory occupied by Nusra Front militants, and they finally tell us the coordinates of these regions,” Rudskoy said.
The United States' negative response to Russia's proposal of joint operations against terrorists is leading to the escalation of military conflicts in Syria, ha said elsewhere in his comments.
On May 20, Russia offered the United States to keep working with the "moderate opposition" on its joining the ceasefire agreement and separation from the Nusra Front, and also offered to deliver airstrikes against the terrorists together but "the response received from the United States, despite the positive evaluation of our activity, doesn't provide for joint actions against terrorist organizations leading to the escalation of military conflict," Rudskoy said.
