The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said Sunday that Russia is engaging in “barbarism” in Syria as it aids the government in fighting rebels.
Ambassador Samantha Power sharply criticized Russia in a speech to the United Nations Security Council, which met to discuss the escalation of fighting in Aleppo as the Syrian army tries to retake the city from opposition forces.
“What Russia is sponsoring and doing is not counter-terrorism, it is barbarism,” Power said.
“Instead of pursuing peace, Russia and Assad make war,” she said, referring to Syrian President Bashar Assad. “Instead of helping get life-saving aid to civilians, Russia and Assad are bombing the humanitarian convoys, hospitals, and first responders who are trying desperately to keep people alive.”
Aleppo, which is located in northern Syria, has become a key battleground in the country’s civil war. The U.S. backs the opposition movement trying to overthrow Assad’s regime, while Russia backs the government. Tensions have been escalating, as Russia has assisted Assad in his bombing campaign.
Powers accused Russia of organizing airstrikes against Aleppo, and several other representatives at the 15-member council suggested that Russia may have committed a war crime in bombing a humanitarian convoy in the area last week, which occurred after the U.S. and Russia agreed to a cease-fire deal on Sept. 9.
The council should “have the courage to say who is responsible and tell Russia with one voice to stop,” Power said.
