Secretary of State John F. Kerry on Wednesday threatened to suspend U.S. cooperation with Russia concerning the conflict in Syria, following heavy Russian and Syrian airstrikes on civilian neighborhoods in the divided city of Aleppo. Kerry “stressed that the burden remains on Russia to stop this assault and allow humanitarian access to Aleppo and other areas in need,” Kirby said. Russia says it is targeting terrorists, a claim dismissed by the U.S. government, humanitarian agencies and the Syrian opposition. The Obama administration has called on Assad to step down and is supporting Syrian rebel groups that oppose Islamic State. During a visit to Cartagena, Colombia, on Monday, Kerry bristled when asked if Russia had “taken the U.S. for a ride” in Syria, as the reporter put it.

Source: Los Angeles Times September 28, 2016 19:52 UTC