Russia says it might use force to cease-fire violators in Syria

MOSCOW – The Associated Press

REUTERS photo

Russia on March 21 warned the United States that it will start responding to cease-fire violations in Syria unilaterally starting March 22 if the U.S. refuses to coordinate rules of engagement against the violators. A U.S. official contended the issues were being discussed “in a constructive manner.”

The Russian military have accused the U.S. of dragging its feet on responding to Moscow’s proposals on joint monitoring of a Syria cease-fire. A top Russian general, Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi of the Russian General Staff, said on the weekend that further delays are leading to civilian casualties, like in Aleppo where 67 civilians reportedly have been killed by militant fire since the truce started.

Rudskoi said in a statement on March 21 that Russia will have to use force unilaterally that because the U.S., in talks with Russia last week, had refused to coordinate a joint response.

“The American side was not ready for this particular discussion and for the approval of the agreement,” the statement quoted him as saying.

But in a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press, a U.S. official in Geneva said: “We have seen the media reports on alleged Russian concerns over cease-fire violations. Whoever is making such statements must be misinformed, because these issues have been discussed at length already, and continue to be discussed, in a constructive manner.”

The official demanded anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

The cease-fire that began on Feb. 27, brokered by Russia and the U.S., has helped significantly reduce hostilities. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front have been excluded from the truce.

Russian President Vladimir Putin last week recalled some of Russian warplanes from Syria, but said the action against ISIL and the Nusra Front will continue.

Meanwhile, activists who monitor the Syrian war said March 21 that a militant faction loyal to ISIL has taken a village in southern Syria that was previously in the hands of the Nusra Front and other militant factions.

The two activist groups - the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Coordination Committees – said that Yarmouk Martyrs Brigades, which are loyal to ISIL, captured the village of Tseel on March 21.

The Observatory said three fighters were killed on the side of the Nusra Front, including the group’s top commander for the south.

The fighting came days after clashes between the Nusra Front and groups loyal to ISIL in southern Syria.