Syrian rebels say Russia responsible if peace talks fail

By

The Associated Press

Syrian men inspect a damaged vehicle in the rubble following a reported air strike by Syrian government forces on the Sukkari neighbourhood of Syria’s northern city of Aleppo, on January 16, 2016. At least 35 Syrian soldiers and pro-regime militiamen were killed in a multi-front attack by the Islamic State group on the eastern city of Deir Ezzor, a monitor said. The fighting came as regime forces battled Islamic State (IS) jihadists in the northern province of Aleppo, repelling a jihadist assault and killing at least 16 fighters from the group. / AFP / Karam Al-Masri (Photo credit should read KARAM AL-MASRI/AFP/Getty Images)

BEIRUT — Syrian opposition groups say they hold the Syrian government and its Russian backers responsible for any failure in peace talks due to their “ongoing crimes” in Syria including the “besiegement and starvation of civilians.”

Although they affirmed their support for the political process, the groups say it is impossible to begin the negotiating process without full implementation of Security Council resolutions pertaining to humanitarian issues.

The groups include the Syrian National Coalition, the main Western-backed opposition group, as well as 44 rebel groups including the powerful Saudi-backed Jaish al-Islam, or Army of Islam.

The U.N.-sponsored peace talks were scheduled to begin Monday in Geneva but now appear to be delayed over continued divisions over who should represent the opposition at the talks.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

About 

The Associated Press