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NATO Chief Concerned Russian Navy Task Force Will Join Attacks On Aleppo

RFE/RL October 20, 2016

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says he is "concerned" that a Russian aircraft carrier and its task force that is heading to the eastern Mediterranean Sea will join Russian attacks on the Syrian city of Aleppo and "increase human suffering."

Stoltenberg said on October 20 that navies from NATO member states would monitor the movements of the Russian task force in a "responsible and measured way."

The Russian Navy deployment would increase its firepower in Syria, where it has been carrying out air strikes in support of President Bashar al-Assad's army for more than a year.

The Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia's only aircraft carrier, can carry dozens of fighter bombers.

It is accompanied by a nuclear-powered battle cruiser, two antisubmarine warships, and four support vessels.

The deployment comes amid an offensive by Assad's troops on rebel-held neighborhoods of Aleppo, backed by Russian warplanes, that has caused international outrage.

It also comes amid heightened tensions between Moscow and NATO, which has accused Russia of provocative military maneuvers.

The British Navy was shadowing the Admiral Kuznetsov and seven other Russian warships on their journey from the Norwegian Sea to the North Sea and through the English Channel as they head toward Syria.

Admiral Vyacheslav Popov, the former commander of Russia's Northern Fleet, says the task force could cover the distance from the English Channel to the eastern Mediterranean in "less than a week" at top speed.

He said that at "medium speed, it can take up to two weeks."

British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said on October 19: "When these ships near our waters, we will man-mark them every step of the way" and will be watching them "as part of our steadfast commitment to keep Britain safe."

British Prime Minister Theresa May has urged the European Union to unite in condemning Russia's role in Syria and bring an end to what she called Moscow's "sickening atrocities" there.

Meanwhile, the EU on October 20 was considering sanctions against supporters of Assad's regime -- including Russia -- if they fail to stop atrocities in Syria.

A draft statement obtained by RFE/RL ahead of an EU summit in Brussels on October 20 said the bloc was "considering all options, including further restrictive measures targeting individuals and entities supporting the [Syrian] regime, should the current atrocities continue."

The threat mentioned Russia, saying the EU "strongly condemns the attacks by the Syrian regime and its allies, notably Russia, on civilians in Aleppo."

Russia announced a break in fighting in Aleppo on October 20, and the Syrian military, using loudspeakers, called on residents to evacuate.

But there was no sign of such a move on October 20 by the estimated 250,000 civilians trapped in the besieged eastern side of the city.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, BBC, and The Telegraph

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/russia -britain-sends-warships-to-escort- naval-task-force/28064717.html

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NATO Chief Concerned Russian Navy Task Force Will Join Attacks On Aleppo