Obama Says Russia Must Show It’s Serious About Peace

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Thursday he is not sure he can trust his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Syria, Agence France-Presse reported.

Russia could be seen as an “irresponsible actor” for its strong support of the Syrian government, Obama said after a meeting at the Pentagon. Pushing to end the Syrian conflict, he said it is time for Russia to show it is serious about achieving peace, as the country enters its sixth year of war.

Russia, a key ally of the Syrian government, intervened militarily on President Bashar al-Assad’s behalf in September 2015, and regularly carries out airstrikes on opposition-held areas. The U.S. government has supported some rebel factions fighting against the Assad government and the so-called Islamic State group (ISIS).

“I’m not confident that we can trust the Russians or Vladimir Putin,” Obama said. “Which is why we have to test whether or not we can get an actual cessation of hostilities.”

The U.S. is pushing for a renewed cessation, which would allow aid into areas in need and reignite political negotiations to end the conflict. An internationally brokered ceasefire in Syria fell apart in April.

Ahead of September’s G20 summit in China and the United Nations General Assembly session in New York, Obama warned Russia that it would have to justify its decision to support a “murderous regime” on an international stage if the proposed ceasefire did not hold.

“Russia may not be able to get there, either because they don’t want to, or because they don’t have sufficient influence over Assad,” said Obama. “And that’s what we’re going to test.”

Jordan Allows Cranes to Deliver U.N. Aid to Displaced Syrians

Cranes on Jordan’s border delivered supplies to 75,000 displaced people stuck in Syria, the Associated Press reported.

The cranes delivered 715 tons (650 metric tons) of food and hygiene supplies – the first time such a method has been used by a United Nations agency. It was part of a one-time agreement with the Jordanian government, which said it would not allow future deliveries, citing security concerns.

Syrians stranded just outside the Jordanian border have received no aid since suspected Islamic State militants attacked Jordanian troops in the area on June 21. The suicide attack led the government in Amman to seal the border and suspend aid deliveries.

Conditions in the two desert settlements near the Jordanian border, Ruqban and Hadalat, are dire. Humanitarian agencies have reported rising cases of disease, malnutrition and dehydration.

Syrian Group Wants Prisoners Exchanged for Russian Bodies

A Syrian group has demanded the release of prisoners in exchange for the bodies of a Russian aircrew killed in a helicopter crash earlier this week, Reuters reported.

A Russian combat helicopter was shot down in the rebel-held Idlib province on Monday. All five people on board died – the highest single loss of life reported by Moscow since Russia intervened in Syria last year.

A group named the General Foundation for Prisoners’ Affairs demanded the release of prisoners held in Syrian government jails and prisons in Lebanon operated by Iran-backed Hezbollah. Its statement did not specify prisoners’ names, or how many it wanted released. It also called for an end to government sieges, and for the delivery of aid to besieged areas.

Alleged identification cards of the killed Russians were shown with the statement, on Thursday. No group has claimed responsibility for the helicopter attack. Islamist rebel groups as well as Western-backed rebel factions operate in the area.

Recommended Reads:

• The New Arab: By Abandoning Aleppo, the World Has Empowered Jihadists
• Los Angeles Times: Meet the Saudi Cleric Who’s Rallying Syrian Rebels
• The Guardian: Syria: U.N. Considers Role in Russia’s ‘Deeply Flawed’ Humanitarian Corridors Plan
• The Wall Street Journal: Fallout From Turkey Coup Leaves Syrian Rebels in the Lurch
• Agence France-Presse: Penned in on All Sides, Syria Kurds in Economic Dire Straits