US-Russia tensions boil over in heated UN debate on Syria

Wood condemned Assad and Russia; Nebenzia accused US of hypocrisy in combating terrorism

UNITED NATIONS:

Russia and the United States exchanged sharp accusations at the United Nations on Tuesday, each blaming the other for supporting terrorism during a Security Council session focused on the recent intensification of conflict in Syria.

The escalation follows Syrian rebels' capture of Aleppo last week, an assault spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS). Formerly known as the Nusra Front, HTS was the official Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda until severing ties in 2016 and is designated as a terrorist group by the Security Council.

Deputy US Ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood, called for an easing of hostilities in Syria and prioritised the protection of civilians. He raised concerns over the involvement of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham in the rebel offensive.

“The fact that HTS is listed as a terrorist organisation by the US and UN does not excuse the further atrocities committed by the Assad regime and its Russian allies,” Wood remarked, accusing Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's forces and Russia of civilian deaths in attacks on schools and hospitals.

In a pointed response, Russia’s UN Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, addressed Wood directly, stating: “You lacked the courage to condemn an obvious terrorist assault targeting peaceful civilians in tranquil Syrian cities.”

Nebenzia further criticised Washington, saying, “There is no expectation that the United States will ever genuinely fight against international terrorism. To be honest, we are glad to be on the opposite side of the barricades from you.”

Wood countered, asserting that Nebenzia was in "no position to lecture" the United States, accusing Moscow of supporting regimes that back terrorism globally. “The United States has fought the menace of terrorism for decades and will continue to do so,” Wood affirmed.