The Syrian Salvation Government (SSG) denied Russian information about the presence of individuals affiliated with Ukrainian intelligence in Idlib, considering it systematic lies aimed at turning northwestern Syria into an open area for crimes and attacks.
The Ministry of Information in the SSG stated that the claim made by the Russian special envoy to Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, regarding the existence of elements belonging to Ukrainian intelligence in Idlib, is part of Russia’s disinformation campaign against the Syrian revolution.
In a statement today, Saturday, November 16, it warned against Russia’s deliberate attempts to fabricate pretexts and link the Syrian revolution with international issues that do not concern the Syrian people.
The statement indicated that Russia’s claims are “systematic lies and empty propaganda” lacking any credible evidence, and are part of Russia’s efforts to transform northwestern Syria into an open arena for crimes committed by the Syrian regime forces, providing cover for the movements of Iranian militias, thereby increasing their influence in the region and paving the way for “coordinated criminal escalation” against civilians.
The SSG considered that the region is facing serious indicators reflecting Russia’s escalating intentions, coinciding with an increase in drone attacks on civilians in the villages of Idlib countryside and western Aleppo and its towns.
In the past 15 days, Idlib and western Aleppo areas have been attacked by more than 140 suicide drones, alongside ongoing artillery and rocket shelling, which has caused new waves of displacement towards border areas and exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Idlib.
The Syria Civil Defence teams have responded to more than 728 attacks by regime forces, Russia, and their allies on northwestern Syria since the beginning of this year up until October 13.
These attacks resulted in the deaths of 67 civilians, including 18 children and eight women, and injuries to 277 civilians, including 114 children and 34 women.
Repeated accusations
Russian accusations of the presence of Ukrainians in Idlib have been repeated, the latest of which occurred on November 14, where Lavrentiev stated that his country would track down employees of the Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) in Syria and eliminate them as they are considered complicit with “terrorists.”
Lavrentiev added, “All these individuals present on Syrian territory, I believe and am sure of this, will be tracked down and eliminated as partners in terrorism.”
Arming the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham requires a “suitable and severe” reaction, according to Lavrentiev.
Last October, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Ukraine, in coordination with the United States, is training elements of Tahrir al-Sham in new techniques for producing drones, for the purpose of launching combat operations against Russian forces in Syria.
Tahrir al-Sham denied in an electronic correspondence with Enab Baladi what was reported by Russian media at that time.