14 Sep 2018 16:10

Moscow, Damascus acting in Idlib only in response to terrorists' sorties - Lavrov

BERLIN. Sept 14 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has denied allegations that the Syrian army has started an operation in the Idlib governorate and insisted that all armed clashes there are Moscow's and Damascus's response to terrorists' sorties.

"What's been described now as the start of an offensive by the Syrian forces with Russia's support is an unscrupulous presentation of facts," Lavrov said.

"Both the Syrian troops and Russia are only responding to terrorists' sorties," he said.

Lavrov mentioned 50 drones that have been launched from Idlib toward the Russian base in Hmeimim. "We have intelligence indicating in what districts of Idlib these drones are assembled of components smuggled there," he said.