Russian Bid to Blacklist Syrian Extremist Groups Blocked at UN

Local Editor

Again the political cover for extremist groups in Syria is revealed by some of the Wests own acts.

Britain, France, the United States and Ukraine Tuesday blocked a Russian request to add two Syrian armed groups to a UN terror blacklist and sideline them from the Syrian peace process, diplomats said.

Russia had requested that Jaish al-Islam and Ahrar al-Sham terrorist groups be added to the sanctions list for their ties to al-Qaeda and Daesh.

Adding names to the UN sanctions list requires a consensus decision from the 15-member council and after objections were raised by the four countries, Russia's request was rejected.

"Now is not the time to shift course, but rather double-down on our efforts toward a reduction in violence."

Jaish al-Islam is a member of the Higher Negotiations Committee [HNC] that is taking part in negotiations in Geneva.

Ahrar al-Sham is among the most powerful extremist groups in Syria.

Financed by Turkey and Gulf states, it has fought alongside the al-Nusra Front, al-Qaeda's Syria affiliate, around Aleppo and in neighboring Idlib province.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team