PHOTO: Russian Embassy in Damascus (File Photo)
Possibly setting up a pretext for attacks on Syria’s rebels — or at least pressing foreign countries to distance themselves from the opposition — the Russian Foreign Ministry has said that Russia’s Embassy in Damascus was hit by mortar fire on Sunday.
Moscow condemned the “criminal attack”, asserting, “We expect a clear position over this terrorist attack from all members of the international community, including regional parties. But not mere words but concrete actions are actually needed.”
While saying that no damage was caused by “a shell driven deep into the earth”, the Ministry set up the cause for retaliation against rebels:
The mortar shell was fired at the Russian embassy from the Jobar district, a stronghold of anti-government gunmen. They claim they don’t belong to the Islamic State, but have foreign sponsors who bear responsibility to exert influence on illegal armed groups.
The Ministry said, “A large labelled fragment of the shell was…extracted from the earth by Syrian mine clearance specialists. Efforts are now being taken to find out how this shell came across to militants.”
Assad regime forces have been fighting rebels for control of Jobar since the opposition took over most of the district in early 2013.
