Turkish FM slams Russian attacks against civilians in Syria

ANKARA

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu slammed Russian attacks against civilians in Syria on Monday.

Cavusoglu responded a question from reporters regarding Russia’s airstrikes against civilians by reminding that around 30 people died in Russian attacks in West Aleppo and said,

“I strongly condemn Russia’s killing civilians almost every day including women, children and elderly in attacks on residential areas in Syria. I cannot associate this with humanity.”

Turkey’s top diplomat further said, “Today Syria is in destruction. Unfortunately the fire is being treated with gas in a place where we all should work hard to end the conflict situation.”

Cavusoglu also said targeting civilians in this way and leaving them to starve to death is a clear “war crime”. Stating that many civilians in Syria’s besieged Madaya town died from starvation.

Turkish FM also commented that Russia’s acts jeopardize the solution process of Syrian conflict.

Since Sept. 30, Russia -- an ally of the Assad regime -- has targeted civilian areas and humanitarian facilities in Syria, according to U.S. officials.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said in a recent report that Russia killed 583 people, including 570 civilians in Syria, since it launched its air campaign to support the Assad regime.

While the Kremlin says its airstrikes in Syria are aimed primarily at Daesh militants, some NATO members say Russia is targeting moderate opposition groups opposed to Assad.