Russia accuses Turkey of shelling Syria after ceasefire

The Russian Defense Ministry said yesterday (January 28) that information about the city of Tal Abyad, northern Syria, being shelled from Turkish territory has been confirmed by several channels.

Smoke rises from the city of Tal Abyad after clashes broke out there on February 27. Photo: AFP

Moscow "received information on the night of February 27 about an attack on the city of Tal Abyad from the Turkish side," Sputnik quoted Lieutenant General Sergei Kuralenko, head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Warring Parties in Syria, as saying. According to him, the attack was carried out by several armed groups and was supported by heavy artillery. These gunmen were then repelled by Kurdish militia.

"The information was checked and confirmed through various channels, including representatives of the Syrian Democratic Forces," Kuralenko added.

The warring parties in Syria’s five-year conflict have agreed to a Russian-US plan for a temporary ceasefire, starting at midnight Damascus time on February 26. However, the ceasefire does not apply to attacks on the extremist group Islamic State (IS) and the Nusra Front, al-Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate.

Under the deal, the Syrian government and opposition forces would cease fire so aid could reach civilians and peace talks could continue.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that in the 24 hours since its implementation, the ceasefire has been violated nine times by rebel groups and "terrorist organizations." However, it has basically held.

According to VNE