Gareth Bayley, the UK Special Representative for Syria, said that the fall of Al-Sheikh Miskeen to regime forces reveals the “hypocrisy of Russian targeting in Syria.”
Regime forces backed by air cover from the Russian air force captured the town of Al-Sheikh Miskeen in rural Dara’a yesterday after a month-long battle with the Free Syrian Army fighters who showed heroic resistance defending the town.
In a statement posted on Twitter yesterday, Bayley said: “Despite having themselves defined the Southern Front and Free Syrian Army as opposition groups – not extremists – Russia and the Asad regime bombarded the town, causing massive destruction.”
“This blatant targeting of opposition groups is deeply concerning, particularly as it comes just days before UN-led negotiations for a political settlement leading to transition in Syria,” Bayley added.
Bayley stressed that “regime and Russian onslaught on the moderate Opposition and civilians must stop. By continuing to support the regime in its bombardment of the moderate opposition, Russia risks damaging the already fragile process of intra-Syrian negotiations.”
The British envoy concluded urging “Russia to act on its stated commitment to achieving a political solution in Syria and to stop targeting the moderate opposition and killing civilians.” (Source: Syrian Coalition)
