MOSCOW, February 4. /TASS/. The Riyadh-backed High Negotiations Committee (HNC) left the talks in Geneva as the Syrian army has reached great progress over the past days, Russia’s Foreign Ministry official spokesperson Maria Zakharova told reporters on Thursday.
"The reason behind such a harsh step of the so-called Riyadh group is that the Syrian government army has made serious success over the past days in the north of the Aleppo province," Zakharova said.
As a result of the successful operation of the Syrian army and local militias, the gunmen were cut off the supply routes between the north of the Aleppo province and the Idlib province they control. "This was a serious blow for terrorists and those who are their accomplices and sponsors."
The diplomat said the case is that the groups of gunmen, including Jabhat al-Nusra and Ahrar ash-Sham, have reached an agreement with the Islamic State (IS) group on mutual supplies of fuel and ammunition to Idlib and agricultural goods from Idlib.
Zakharova also stressed that the goal of the operation carried out by Russia’s Aerospace Forces in Syria is the fight against terrorist groups and assisting their destruction on the ground.
"As shown by the report on the combat actions, the strikes of Russia’s aviation contribute efficiently to solving this task," Zakharova added.
- Meeting of "Moscow group" of Syrian opposition with UN special envoy due on February 5
- Lavrov, Kerry confirm plans to hold meeting on Syria in Munich on February 11
- Syrian internal opposition says it has legitimate right to take part in talks
- Lavrov stresses importance of single Syrian opposition delegation
- Russian diplomat slams Syria’s Riyadh-backed opposition attempts to frustrate peace talks
- UN envoy: Syria peace talks suspended until 25 February