Russia denies bombing Syrian rebels that participated in cease-fire

Russian Defense Ministry on Sunday said its air forces deployed in Syria didn't bomb the areas of Syrian opposition forces that participated in the cease-fire regime.

"The target bombed was situated more than 300 kilometers away from the territories declared by the U.S. as positions of opposition forces participating in the cessation of hostilities agreement," said Major General Igor Konashenkov, a ministry spokesman.

Konashenkov recalled that Washington claimed Russian air forces on June 16 struck Syrian opposition groups in southern Syria.

"The Russian Aerospace Force acted in the framework of the agreed procedures, having notified in advance members of the U.S.-led coalition about the ground targets for the strikes," Konashenkov stressed.

He added that the United States didn't informed Russia of the locations of opposition under its control, lamenting that no progress was made regarding Russia's suggestion of making an up-to-date map of locations of Syrian forces.

"The exchange of opinions (between Russia and the U.S.) was in a constructive manner, as both sides aim for better coordination in fighting terrorist organizations in Syria, and prevention of incidents during military operations on the Syrian territory," Konashenkov concluded.

Brokered by the United States and Russia, the cease-fire agreement between Syrian government forces and various opposition groups was reached in February.

Washington and Moscow kept contacting rebels respectively so as to expand the cease-fire regime, while the two sides are also in constant contacts to coordinate political and military efforts to settle the Syrian crisis and fight against terrorism. Endi