The Russian Defense Ministry on Tuesday summoned military attaches of the United States, NATO countries and Saudi Arabia to explain allegations that Moscow has been bombing civilian targets in Syria.
In a statement, Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said the attaches were asked to “give official validation of their statements, or make a rebuttal,” RT News reported.
Mr. Antonov added that the attaches must justify “outrageous accusations” made by Western media that the Russian Air Force had allegedly bombed hospitals in Syria.
He stressed that such reports are part of an attack on Russia’s anti-terror efforts in Syria and are put on Russia not only by the media, but also Western officials like U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Defense Secretary Ashton Carton, NATO’s Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg and the U.K.’s Defense Secretary Michael Fallon.
Mr. Antonov said the accusations would be considered “stove-piping” should Russia not receive proof in the coming days.
Several reports emerged last week of a field hospital in northwestern Syria that was destroyed by Russian airstrikes, which killed civilians. The reports were based on information provided by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Other reports have alleged this was the third hospital to be targeted by Russian warplanes since Moscow’s bombing campaign began last month.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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