Russia says U.S.-led anti-IS coalition inefficient

Russia on Wednesday labelled the U.S.-led international coalition against the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group as inefficient and called for a real consolidation of forces under the aegis of the UN Security council.

"Unfortunately, the achievements of the coalition in the fight against IS look very modest," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Since the creation of the coalition, there has been a major build-up of U.S. forces and those of more than 20 other countries directly involved in the bombing of IS positions in Syria and Iraq, the statement said, but the expansion of the terrorists has not been stopped.

"Militants continue to expand the 'caliphate' in Syria and Iraq. Moreover, the growing discontent with the coalition air raids which have caused civilian casualties, has increased the number of locals who sympathize with extremists and are willing to join their ranks," the ministry said.

While U.S. officials kept refusing to cooperate with Damascus in fighting terrorism, a number of countries belonging to the Washington-led coalition have begun to provide funding and armaments to anti-government groups, the main forces opposing IS in Syria, the statement said.

"We reiterate our appeal to regional and international partners to genuinely consolidate efforts in the struggle against global terrorism on the basis of a relevant international legal framework with the UN Security Council in a key role," the statement added.

Thousands of people have been killed in the armed conflict in Syria and millions have become refugees. Moscow insists that the resolution of the crisis should include all forces in the region capable of resisting the IS, including the Syrian army, while Western countries and their allies insist on the resignation of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Endi