Terrorists in Idlib block the checkpoints

1. Syria — Militants are blocking checkpoints.

The deputy head of the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of the Warring Parties in Syria, Rear-Admiral Vyacheslav Sytnik, stated that «the terrorists from the radical armed groups are blocking the work of the checkpoints. They forbid the locals to travel to the territory controlled by the Syrian authorities under the threat of using weapons, or an arrest». On 22nd of February the checkpoints Seraqab, Miznaz, and Abu Azeidin started their work. The checkpoints were made so that the Syrian civilians can leave the Idlib DMZ, and the territory controlled by the Turkish troops. Vyacheslav Sytnik underlined that the Turkish troops are unable to ensure the safety of civilians in the exit corridors from the DMZ, which escalates the situation of the civilian population that suffers from a lack of a proper medical care, and due to the socio-economic situation that has developed due to the US sanctions. «The Russian Center for the Reconciliation of the Warring Parties calls on the command of the Turkish troops to exercise control over the territories in north-western Syria, to show some integrity in fulfilling their obligations, and to ensure the safety of civilians wishing to use the checkpoints» — Vyacheslav Sytnik concluded.

2 Syria — Use of chemical weapons

On Monday, the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken stated during a meeting of the Disarmament Conference in Geneva that the US administration calls on Russia and Syria to fulfill their obligations under the ’Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical Weapons, and on Their Destruction’. Anthony Blinken stated that «Syria has repeatedly used chemical weapons against its people, and hasn’t cooperated with the ’Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ in order to fully report on the Syrian chemical weapons production program, and eliminate the weapons in a verifiable manner». He added that Russia provided diplomatic and military help to Syria, used chemical weapons against Alexei Navalny, and a former Russian intelligence officer, Sergei Skripal, as well as his daughter Yulia. Anthony Blinken added that the US government condemns such actions, and calls on Russia and Syria to fulfill their obligations under the ’Chemical Weapons Convention’. «We must preserve the international law against the use of chemical weapons. Otherwise, we risk to normalize their use» — he concluded.

3 Iraq — Missile attacks

The White House press service reported that the US President Joe Biden held telephone conversations with the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kazim. It was reported that the parties discussed the recent missile attacks on Iraqi territory against the troops of the international coalition. «The US President confirmed his support for the sovereignty and independence of Iraq. The parties discussed the recent missile attacks against the Iraqi and coalition servicemen. The parties agreed that the organizers of the attacks must be held accountable. The US President and the Iraqi Prime Minister also confirmed the importance of the strategic dialogue and the cooperation in the key areas» — the report stated. The ’Al Arabiya’ TV reported that on Monday the Baghdad’s ’’Green Zone’’, in which the government agencies and foreign diplomatic missions are located, including the US embassy, was hit with missiles. At least 3 missiles were launched. 2 fell inside the Green Zone. 1 fell outside the area.

4 Russia — Meeting on Afghanistan

The Russian presidential special envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, stated that Moscow is coordinating with its partners the parameters of an international meeting on Afghanistan. Zamir Kabulov noted that the possibility of holding a meeting by the end of the month was previously discussed. At the moment, the details are still being coordinated.

5. Switzerland — Use of the OPCW for pressure

The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, stated in a video message to the participants of the Geneva Conference on the Disarmament that Russia opposes the use of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons ’’as a pressure on the unwanted states, via sanctions made from baseless accusations of the use of chemical weapons». Sergei Lavrov added that Russia is for «an objective and professional dialogue based on facts, and on the honest implementation of the requirements of the Chemical Weapons Convention by the Technical Secretariat’’. He underlined that Russia calls on the partners to take a responsible approach while considering Moscow’s initiative to develop a «convention on fighting the acts of chemical and biological terrorism».

6 Iran — Nuclear deal

The Iranian spokesman for the UN office in Geneva, Ismail Bagai Hamane, stated during a video-conference on the disarmament in Geneva that the call from the USA for the full Iranian compliance with the terms of the nuclear deal is absurd, since the USA left the deal. «It is absurd to repeat the request to Iran to return to the full compliance with the agreement, while the party that calls for it leaves the agreement, or completely violates the terms, or continues to defy its obligations» — Ismail Bagai Hamane explained and added that the responsibility for the return to the deal, the restart of the deal, and the compensation of damage lies on the «guilty party», which must prove that it will no longer deviate from the terms of the treaty. Constantine Reztsov, specially for the ANNA NEWS.