Russia: Military action in Syria precisely targeted

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the RIA news agency that Russian military action in Syria’s Idlib province was precisely targeted to minimize risks to the population.

“We, as we have said many times before, act precisely, selectively, trying to minimize possible risks to the peaceful population,” Ryabkov reportedly told RIA, according to Reuters.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also told Reuters that the situation in Idlib is of ongoing concern for Russia.

“The situation in Idlib is still a matter of heightened concern and worry and, of course, it is on the agenda when it comes to all contacts that the Russian side has at various levels with relevant colleagues,” Peskov said over the phone to reporters Wednesday.

{mosads} The Trump administration said Tuesday that any reckless action taken by the President Bashar Assad and his allies would incur the United States’s ire.

“The United States is closely monitoring the situation in Idlib province, Syria, where millions of innocent civilians are under threat of an imminent Assad regime attack, backed by Russia and Iran,” the White House wrote in a statement.

“President Donald J. Trump has warned that such an attack would be a reckless escalation of an already tragic conflict and would risk the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.”

The White House additionally reaffirmed its commitment to responding “swiftly and appropriately” if Assad utilized chemical weapons.

Russia launched airstrikes in Idlib Tuesday along with Syrian artillery, after President Trump told the regime and its allies to leave the area untouched.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the attack left at least 17 civilians, including five children, dead.

Trump had warned Assad Monday on Twitter not to “recklessly attack Idlib Province.”

“The Russians and Iranians would be making a grave humanitarian mistake to take part in this potential human tragedy,” the president warned.