Russia gravely concerned over terrorists’ seizure of Palmyra, Russian diplomat says

Moscow, SANA- Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich expressed concern over recent terrorist advances in Iraqi and Syrian cities, including Idleb, Jisr al-Shughour and most recently, Palmyra.

Commenting on the latest developments in the city of Palmyra which has been recently seized by Islamic State in Syria and Iraq (ISIS) terrorists, Lukashevich said in a press statement on Friday his country is “gravely concerned” over the fate that awaits the iconic city after ISIS control.

“As for Palmyra (now seized by the Islamic State), serious concerns over the fate of world cultural heritage sites, in which the Syrians take natural pride, add to the aggravated situation,” he said. “We’d consider their destruction as an unpardonable act of vandalism, encroachment on general human values and an insult to civilization.”

The Russian diplomat pointed out that ISIS gunmen have carried out mass executions in the city, strongly lashing out at the bloody crimes of terrorists in the areas under their control.

He cast doubt on the effectiveness of the US-led anti-ISIS Coalition in blunting the expansion of the terrorist group.

“The activity of the-so called anti-ISIS coalition led by the United States has failed to produce result as of yet, and has not affected the ability of the Islamic State to expand,” he said.

Manar al-Frieh/Manal

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