The United States sees Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's defense of a possible operation in the province of Idlib as an escalation of the conflict, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Friday.
WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 31st August, 2018) The United States sees Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's defense of a possible operation in the province of Idlib as an escalation of the conflict, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Friday.
Earlier in the day, Lavrov said Syrian President Bashar Assad's government has the legitimate right to expel terrorists from Idlib where groups such as the Jabhat al-Nusra terror organization (banned in Russia) have taken refuge.
"Sergey Lavrov is defending Syrian and Russian assault on Idlib. The Russians and Assad agreed not to permit this," Pompeo said in a Twitter post. "The US sees this as an escalation of an already dangerous conflict."
Pompeo also warned Moscow that the international community is keeping an eye on Russia's actions in Syria.
He added that 3 million Syrians have already been forced to flee their homes and escape to Idlib where they will suffer from any aggression.
Lavrov earlier on Friday said talks were underway to create humanitarian corridors in Idlib to allow civilians to leave the province. The government of Syria is also engaged in efforts to secure local truces in the province, Lavrov said.
The Russian minister also warned that Moscow has evidence that terrorists are planning a false-flag chemical attack in Idlib in a bid to provoke western military action against the Syrian government. Lavrov said Russia has proof that such an attack is being prepared and has transferred this evidence to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and United Nations.
