Syrian opponent: targeting Turkish military convoy was by Russia’s approval
Moscow – North-Press Agency
Fahim al-Sourani
The independent member of the Constitutional Committee Brigadier General Ibrahim al-Jabawi accused Russia of providing full military and aerial support for the operations of the Syrian army in Idlib, and that the Russian officers are directly leading the military operations there.
Al-Jabawi told North-Press via telephone from Riyadh, commenting on the recent field developments and the entry of the Syrian army to the outskirts of the city of Khan Shaykhun in southern Idlib countryside, said that Russia is practicing the policy of scorched earth, by using its strategic military jets.
He also admitted: “The current situation is unhelpful for the rebels and keeps them in a weak state because the shelling carried out by the Syrian army supported by Russian fighter jets, targets everything on the ground, leaving no chance for the opposition fighters to launch counter-operations.”
Al-Jabawi accused the Russian fighter jets of targeting the cities and towns with complete destruction, leaving no room for the opposition fighters to fortify their positions.”
He also pointed out: “There is no comparison between the military strength of the Syrian government forces and its allied groups, in addition to Russia on one hand, and the opposition fighters on the other hand, where the balance of power tilts to the Syrian government forces.
In response to a question about the messages behind the Syrian army’s targeting of a Turkish military convoy while heading to Khan Shaykhun, al-Jabawi said: “The Syrian forces would not have been carried out this attack without Moscow’s approval,” adding that, “the balance of power between Turkey and Syria is not equal, as Turkey has a military force that is many times stronger than its Syrian counterpart.”
He explained that the reason why Turkey did not respond to the targeting of its convoy because of its “commitment to restraint, in order to preserve Sochi agreement.”
Al-Jabawi also said: “Turkey follows its national interests like other countries and that the Syrian armed opposition does not deny its interests, but Turkey must take into account the interests of the Syrian opposition.”