Al Qaeda behind Syrian blasts, says Russia
May 14th, 2012 - 10:51 pm ICT by IANSMoscow, May 14 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Moscow believes that terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda, carried out recent suicide bombings in Syria, said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov Monday.
At least 55 people were killed and over 370 were injured in two explosions on a highway near the capital Damascus, May 10.
“Terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda, are behind the recent acts of terror in Syria,” Gatilov said. “There are confirmed reports indicating that armed rebel groups enlist mercenaries from Libya and other Arab countries.”
Despite a month-old ceasefire brokered by UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan and the deployment of over 180 UN observers in flashpoint areas, clashes between the opposition forces and troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad continue.
Over 9,000 people, the majority of them civilians, have died since the Syrian uprising began in March 2011, according to UN reports.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
sd/vt
- Direct talks in Syrian standoff unlikely: Russia - May 15, 2012
- US team visits Moscow over Syria crisis - Jun 08, 2012
- UN Syria envoy Kofi Annan to visit Russia - Mar 22, 2012
- Annan admits failure of Syrian peace mission - Jul 08, 2012
- Russia ready to back Annan proposals on Syria in UNSC - Mar 21, 2012
- Syria on brink of foreign instigated war: Assad - Jun 03, 2012
- US, Russia continue Syria discussions - Jun 15, 2012
- Probe 'terrorist acts' in Syria, says Russia - Aug 30, 2012
- UN Syria resolution unacceptable: Russia - Jul 13, 2012
- Syria on brink of civil conflict: Lavrov - Jun 10, 2012
- Russia to keep supporting Syria peace plan - May 06, 2012
- Moscow ready to host conference on Syria - Jun 13, 2012
- More attacks in Syria after arrival of UN observers: Assad - May 17, 2012
- Assad departure no solution to Syrian problems: Russia - Mar 28, 2012
- Syrian defence minister killed in Damascus bombing - Jul 18, 2012
Tags: arab countries, arab league, bashar al assad, ceasefire, clashes, damascus, explosions, flashpoint, foreign minister, gennady, kofi annan, mercenaries, opposition forces, president bashar, rebel groups, ria novosti, russia moscow, russian deputy, suicide bombings, terrorist groups