German Ambassador to Turkey Martin Erdmann described the Russian airstrikes on Syria as “unethical” and that they represent a “mockery” of the international community.
Erdmann said that Russia stated its air force conducted 500 airstrike inside Syria in the last five days “in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 which calls for stopping attacks on civilians in wartime.”
The German ambassador pointed out that the Russian aerial bombardment is forcing civilians to flee, which casts doubt on the possibility of launching peace talks in Geneva aimed at finding a political solution in Syria.
The Syrian Coalition earlier said that “the military escalation by the Assad regime, backed by Russian air power and Iranian-led foreign militias, began nearly three months ago. It happened in tandem with renewed international efforts towards reaching a political settlement to the conflict. Regime forces opened new battlefronts against rebel fighters, most notably in Latakia, Aleppo and Dara’a provinces, applying a scorched earth policy.”
The Syrian Coalition added that “through the ongoing onslaught on Aleppo, Russia seeks to tip the balance of power on the ground in favor of the Assad regime, with the aim of imposing a political solution favorable to Russia.” (Source: Syrian Coalition + Anadolu Agency)