Delay in separating opposition from terror groups may overturn truce in Syria: Russia

A senior Russian officer on Friday criticized the United States for its delay in separating moderate opposition detachments in Syria from terrorist groups, which could "overturn the truce" in the war-torn country.

Sergei Rudskoy, chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the Russian General Staff, said at a news briefing that such delay would "not only discredit the moderate opposition, but also sabotage the peaceful process and may provoke new hostilities."

He warned that the al-Nusra Front terrorist group, which took advantage of the truce regime and their location in the same areas as the moderate opposition is safe from Russian airstrikes, has partially regained its fighting ability, replenished stocks of arms and ammunition and conducted active operations.

Russia has proposed that the United States persuade representatives of the Syrian moderate opposition to accept the cessation of hostilities and separate themselves from the al-Nusra Front, but Moscow said this issue has not been solved so far.

The plan on ceasing hostilities, backed by Russia and the United States, took effect late February. ( However, the regime does not apply to the al-Nusra Front, the Islamic State and other groups considered terrorist groups by the United Nations Security Council. Endi