Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov accused US-led forces of carrying out “bloody provocations” against Russian troops in Syria in an interview published by the Saudi-owned newspaper Asharq al-Awsat on Wednesday.

“The activities of US-led forces raise many questions… In some cases, these forces have indirectly encouraged other terrorists to attack strategic positions rightfully regained by Damascus, or they have deliberately engaged in bloody provocations against our forces,” Lavrov said.

The Russian foreign minister appeared to be referring to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which the US-led coalition is backing in eastern Syria, mainly in the city of Raqqa.

Russia last month accused the SDF of trying to sabotage a separate offensive by its ally, the Syrian military, against ISIL Takfiri militants around the city of Deir Ezzor.

“Today all actors must abandon their geopolitical ambitions and contribute fully to the restoration of stability and security of Syria and throughout the Middle East and North Africa,” Lavrov told Asharq al-Awsat, calling for a lifting of sanctions against [President Bashar] Assad’s government to help Syria’s recovery.

Moscow warned Washington of reprisals after accusing the SDF of firing on Syrian regime forces in eastern Syria.

Source: AFP