Western failure to rein in rebel attacks on civilians in Aleppo has delayed resumption of negotiations, says defence minister

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Peace talks over the fate of Aleppo are on hold indefinitely because rebels backed by western governments have been attacking civilians in the west of the Syrian city, the Russian defence minister has said.

Sergei Shoigu’s remarks came as he confirmed that Russia’s naval convoy, led by its aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, had reached the eastern Mediterranean to strengthen Moscow’s attack capabilities, despite the refusal of Nato countries to help with refuelling and supplies.

Shoigu said the lack of cooperation by the Spanish and Maltese governments showed the west was not interested in combatting terrorism in Syria.

The west, he added, had failed in its paramount duty to separate legitimate opposition fighters in rebel-held eastern Aleppo from Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, the al-Qaida-linked group formerly known as the Nusra front. The US secretary of state, John Kerry, acknowledged the US needed help in this area during remarks made in London on Monday.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s defence minister, salutes president Vladimir Putin. Photograph: AP

Shoigu said rebels had been attacking civilians in western Aleppo despite a pause in Russian and Syrian air attacks. “As a result, the prospects for the start of a negotiation process and the return to peaceful life in Syria are postponed for an indefinite period,” he said.

Since 18 October, Russia and its Syrian allies say they have halted airstrikes in Aleppo. Civilian deaths from Russia’s devastating air campaign had drawn widespread condemnation.

Shoigu, who was addressing a meeting of Russian military officials, attacked rebels and their backers, saying they had squandered a chance for peace talks. “It is time for our western colleagues to determine who they are fighting against: terrorists or Russia,” he said, in remarks broadcast on Russian television. “Maybe they have forgotten at whose hands innocent people died in Belgium, in France, in Egypt and elsewhere?”

On Monday, Kerry insisted discussions were still being held with the Russians on how to reconstruct a ceasefire, but admitted progress was difficult and there was a risk Russia would seek to “blow Aleppo to smithereens” .

A ceasefire could be agreed, he said, if Russia halted its bombing campaign long enough to allow countries backing the legitimate Syrian opposition to persuade those forces in Aleppo to separate themselves from Jabhat Fateh al-Sham.

Shoigu’s remarks suggest the Russians are very likely to focus on a military response for the foreseeable future.



The Russian northern fleet’s aircraft carrier group began its voyage to the north-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean on 15 October. The group comprises the Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large antisubmarine warfare ships Severomorsk and Vice-Admiral Kulakov as well as support vessels.

Ravina Shamdasani, a UN human rights spokeswoman, said all sides in Aleppo may be committing war crimes through indiscriminate attacks in civilian areas. The UN estimates 250,000-275,000 civilians are trapped and 8,000 rebel fighters holed up in the eastern part.

“All parties in Aleppo are conducting hostilities that are resulting in large numbers of civilian casualties and creating an atmosphere of terror for those who continue to live in the city,” Shamdasani said.