Photo: Ministry of defence of the Russian Federation
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) is receiving weapon supplies from the third parties seeking to derail “the peace process in the de-escalation zones, ousting the moderate opposition from there,” the Russian military said on February 7.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry’s spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, Nayat Tahrir al-Sham [Jabhat al-Nusra] remains a major source of the instability in “de-escalation zones” and across the country, in general.
Konashenkov also voiced concern with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham militants obtaining MANPADs, which could be used “not only in Syria and not only against warplanes.” He added that the Russian military is working to trace the channels through which the weapons have been supplied.
The spokesman also recalled the UAV attack at the Russian facilities in Hmeimim and Tartus.
“This confirms our fears that the terrorists of Al-Qaeda’s offshoot [Jabhat al-Nusra] have become an obedient tool in the hands of one or a number of technologically advanced countries that are dissatisfied with Russia’s key role in liberation of Syria from Daesh [ISIS]”, Konashenkov said.
