US threatens to cut ties with Russia for Aleppo attacks

By Kasim Ileri

WASHINGTON (AA) – Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday told his Russian counterpart Washington is preparing to cut contact with Russia on Syria talks unless Moscow stops attacks on Aleppo.

According to the State Department spokesman John Kirby, during a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Kerry expressed “grave concern” about Russian and Syrian regime attacks on hospitals, water supply networks and other civilian facilities in Aleppo.

“He informed the foreign minister that the United States is making preparations to suspend U.S.-Russia bilateral engagement on Syria – including on the establishment of the Joint Implementation Center – unless Russia takes immediate steps to end the assault on Aleppo and restore the cessation of hostilities,” Kirby said in a statement.

Since Sept. 19, when the Syrian regime ended a week-long cease-fire brokered by U.S. and Russia, almost 500 civilians have been killed and hundreds injured in attacks on the war-battered city.

According to the spokesman, Kerry told Lavrov that Russia is responsible for the assault on Aleppo where incendiary and bunker buster bombs are used in residential areas.