Russia strongly supports Syrian leaders, says rebels benefit from external support

Russia said Wednesday it strongly supports steps taken by Syria’s leaders to counter the offensive by what it sees as terrorist groups receiving support, including drones and training, from outside the country.

“We strongly condemn this attack […]. There is no doubt that they would not have dared to commit such a bold act without the instigation and overall support of external forces seeking to provoke a new cycle of armed confrontation in Syria, to deploy a spiral of violence. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told reporters.

Russia is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and has provided military support since 2015 in the country’s civil war.

“We express our solidarity with the Syrian leaders,” Zakharova said. “We strongly support the efforts of the Syrian authorities to combat terrorist groups and restore constitutional order.”

Ms. Zakharova said, without providing evidence, that the rebels, some of whom are from former Soviet countries, had received drones from Ukraine and training on how to use them.