Local Editor
Again the political cover for extremist groups in Syria is revealed by some of the Wests own acts.
Britain, France, the United States and Ukraine Tuesday blocked a Russian request to add two Syrian armed groups to a UN terror blacklist and sideline them from the Syrian peace process, diplomats said.
Russia had requested that Jaish al-Islam and Ahrar al-Sham terrorist groups be added to the sanctions list for their ties to al-Qaeda and Daesh.
Adding names to the UN sanctions list requires a consensus decision from the 15-member council and after objections were raised by the four countries, Russia’s request was rejected. “Now is not the time to shift course, but rather double-down on our efforts toward a reduction in violence.”
Jaish al-Islam is a member of the Higher Negotiations Committee [HNC] that is taking part in negotiations in Geneva. Ahrar al-Sham is among the most powerful extremist groups in Syria.
Financed by Turkey and Gulf states, it has fought alongside the al-Nusra Front, al-Qaeda’s Syria affiliate, around Aleppo and in neighboring Idlib province.
Source: Al-Ahed news
