Russia categorically rejects Israeli attacks on Syrian territory – Al-Baath Media

The Russian President’s Special Representative to Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, stressed that Russia categorically rejects Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, noting that this could lead to the expansion of the conflict in the Middle East.

“We categorically do not accept these attacks because they only lead to an escalation of violence, and we will do everything in our power to prevent attempts to drag Syria into a regional conflict,” Lavrentiev told reporters in Astana today.

“Russia does not yet see any intention from the United States to withdraw its military forces from Syria, and the situation has become more complicated. The Americans are suffering very heavy losses, but they continue to remain there in a number of their bases in northeastern Syria and in the Al-Tanf area in the south,” Lavrentiev added.

The Russian representative noted that the importance of the Astana format for resolving the situation in Syria is now increasing in light of the escalating tensions in the Middle East, which is now on the brink of a large-scale armed confrontation, adding: “I believe that the international community must do everything in its power to prevent such a negative development of the situation,” noting that the three guarantor states (Russia, Iran and Turkey) will need to coordinate their positions in interaction with all parties participating in the Astana negotiations, and first of all, of course, with the Syrian parties.

Lavrentiev stressed the need to continue fighting terrorist groups, such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and others, and to strive to improve the economic situation in Syria and to devote reconstruction.