Turkey urges Russia to stop attacks against civilians in Syria

“Attacks by the regime and the Russian Federation against civilians in Syria and their track record on crimes committed through these attacks are increasing by the day. While this is the case, the footage of Russia’s use of cluster bombs on Russian television and the fact that Russian aircraft have been recorded while using white phosphorus bombs in the northern part of Aleppo in the last two days are outrageous and cause for serious concern,” read the statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry late June 22. 

The statement followed increased concern over intensified military operations conducted by the Russian army and government forces especially around Aleppo that have been hitting civilian targets, including schools, hospitals and mosques. 

“Similarly, the U.N. secretary-general’s special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has drawn particular attention to these attacks and the bombings of besieged areas right before or after humanitarian aid reaches those locations and underlines that the targeting of civilians does not provide any possibility for talks for a political solution,” it said.

The use of all kinds of weapons and ammunition by a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, such as Russia, against the Syrian people and civilians can never be acceptable in the name of humanity, the ministry said. 

“Our hope is that Russia will immediately reverse its mistake, stop its attacks against the Syrian people and contribute to the realization of a genuine political transition in Syria based on the will of the people,” it said.