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U.S. condemns IS attacks in Syria

Xinhua, February 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

The U.S. State Department on Monday condemned the "barbaric" attacks by Islamic State (IS) in Syria, calling for "united global efforts" to defeat the terrorist group.

Five deadly bombings killed at least 150 people in central and southern Syria on Sunday, marking one of the highest death tolls in a single day during the years of conflict. The IS has claimed responsibility for the bombings.

State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement that the U.S. wished a speedy recovery to the wounded and offered condolences to the victims.

IS "has targeted innocent people from around the world -- from Damascus and Baghdad to Paris, Brussels, and Ankara," the statement said, adding that it takes "united and global efforts to destroy this terrorist organization."

The U.S. is committed to pursuing a political transition in Syria and urged all parties to "support a cessation of hostilities that can begin to de-escalate the civil war", said the statement.

Also on Monday, Russia's Foreign Ministry condemned the serial terrorist attacks in Syria and called for "proper principled responses."

"Moscow strongly condemns the inhumane terrorist attacks," the ministry said in an online statement. "We express our sincere condolences to the families of those killed and wish a speedy recovery to the injured."

Russia urged the international community to make "proper principled responses" to the terrorist acts.

The serial terrorist attacks happened as world powers were pushing for a truce in Syria in line with the agreement reached on Feb. 12 during an International Syria Support Group meeting.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry made three phone calls on Sunday to discuss details of the modalities for the cessation of hostilities in Syria.

Proposals and options for a ceasefire have been submitted for consideration by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Kerry on Sunday confirmed that a deal between the United States and Russia was reached over the truce in Syria and that a ceasefire agreement is likely to be announced very soon as well. Endite