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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem commented on the downing of a Russian Su-24 bomber by the Turkish Air Force on Tuesday, as well as anti-terror efforts during a joint press conference after their meeting in Moscow.
“We consider the situation in which some of these countries [neighboring Syria] state their adherence to corresponding UN Security Council resolutions, declare themselves members of anti-terrorist coalitions, but in reality play a double game, where terrorists practically play the part of unspoken allies,” Sergei Lavrov said.
“We have more questions about true intentions of Ankara, whether it is really interested in combating terrorism, including in Syria, whether it is interested in the normalization of the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic,” he added.
Both Moscow and Damascus believe that only Syrians must decide their future without outside interference. Moscow is ready to take into account interests of countries that are truly interested in combating terrorism, Lavrov said.
The Syrian minister also said that Turkish Air Force jets had downed a Su-24 bomber because Russian Aerospace Forces had destroyed over 1,000 fuel tankers carrying illegal ISIL oil.
Muallem Said: “Turkey decided to down a Russian bomber because it continues to patronize the terrorists. The other reason is the fact that in five days Russian airstrikes destroyed over 1,000 tank trucks carrying stolen oil from Syria to Turkey.”
According to the Syrian minister, “Turkey continues to maintain export and transportation of oil stolen in Iraq and Syria by ISIL militants. Then, the oil is transported to ports abroad.”
Muallem called the Turkish attack on the Su-24 aircraft an “act of aggression” that challenges Syria’s sovereignty.
“This act of aggression is a challenge to the sovereignty of Syria as the plane was shot down in Syrian airspace, and Turkey has failed to provide any clear evidence regarding this incident,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lavrov said that it was not a coincidence that Turkey started to worry after Russia had started to bomb ISIL convoys of fuel tankers with illegal oil.
“They [Turkish authorities] carefully protect any information about their smuggling deals. It can be proved with the fact that recently two Turkish journalists were arrested for reporting about illegal arms supply to ISIL from Turkey,” he said.
Damascus calls on Washington to pay attention to the rumors saying that the son of Turkish President Recep Tayiip Erdogan is involved in the illegal selling of oil, including ISIL militants, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said.
“I have no evidence, but there are rumors that Turkish agents, including Erdogan’s son, are involved in selling stolen oil. If I were [US State Secretary John] Kerry, I would make efforts to shed the light on this information.”
Source: Sputnik
