Russia: US Ground Ops in Syria ‘Illegal’, May Lead to the ‘Unpredictable’

Local Editor

The head of Russia's parliamentary committee on foreign affairs warned that the consequences of potential US ground operations in Syria would be unpredictable. He added that claims Russian airstrikes have targeted civilians are part of ongoing information war.

"If there ...[is] any evidence ...[it] should be presented and Russia is definitely open to making further investigations," Chairman of the Russian Upper House committee for foreign affairs, Konstantin Kosachev stated, while on a visit to Washington. "But there is no evidence [that has been] presented by the military experts to the Russian military experts."

Kosachev's comments come after the Russian Ministry of Defense summoned the military attaches of NATO countries and Saudi Arabia, asking them to clarify their allegations that Russian airstrikes in Syria had hit civilian targets.

The head of the committee blamed mass media for "deliberately circulating rumors" of Russian airstrikes killing civilian population in Syria. The same "rumors," Kosachev, said are being spread throughout social media.

Kosachev called on all nations to join the Russian led coalition against "ISIS" in Syria that Russia is conducting "within the framework of international law."

"We have no intention of joining any other coalition for the simple reason that they are outside the framework of the international law," he said.

Commenting on the potential involvement of US ground troops against "ISIS" in Iraq and Syria, Kosachev once again highlighted that, when it comes to Syria, the US-led anti-"ISIS" campaign is already violating international law. Potential troops on the ground, Kosachev believes, will further violate international regulations.

He further said: "Any operations - air based operations, ground based operations - in Syria by American forces will be illegal,", explaining that Washington has not been invited by Damascus to take part in military operation in a sovereign country.

"They will get trapped, they will get involved in this ongoing conflict and the consequences will be absolutely unpredictable," Kosachev said, addicting that sending US troops into Syria would be a "big mistake."

At the same time, Kosachev, stressed that Russia would not send ground troops into Syria.

"No ground operation is possible [in Syria], because that would inevitably involve Russia in the ongoing war," the politician added.

"The problem is that people who come to Moscow ... claim that they represent the opposition but later on other groups deny it and we have problems with finding reliable partners," who would facilitate the political dialogue back in Syria, Kosachev said.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team