Russia Warns US: To Use Force against Syria Truce Violators

Local Editor

Russia warned the US that it may resort to the use of force against those parties that refuse to respect the ceasefire in Syria.

In a statement on Monday, Sergei Rudskoi, the head of the Main Operative Department of the Russian General Staff, announced that his country will begin unilaterally applying the provisions envisaged by the ceasefire agreement from March 21 if there is no reaction from the US to Russia's proposals on ceasefire monitoring.

"Russia says it is ready to promptly complete the work on the proposed document, including to meet with a US delegation in Moscow or have a meeting in any place acceptable to the parties," he said.

In parallel, Rudskoi confirmed that "If there is no reaction from the US to these proposals, the Russian Federation will begin to unilaterally apply the rules envisaged by the agreement from March 22."

He further said: "We reiterate that military force will be used only after reliable evidence of systematic violations by military units of the obligations assumed under the joint Russian-US statement on ceasefire in Syria of February 22, 2016 is received. Military force will not be used against units that observe the ceasefire regime and against civilians and civilian facilities."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team