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Russia "fuels extremism in Syria" -- White House

WASHINGTON, Sept 26 (KUNA) -- As Russia's heavy bombardment of Aleppo continues, the White House said Monday that Moscow "fuels extremism in Syria" with its "sickening" targeting of civilian areas.
The Kremlin, meanwhile, claims it is targeting "terrorists." US President Barack Obama is "deeply concerned" about the situation, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters.
"Over the weekend, we saw the specific targeting of the headquarters or staging areas used by the White Helmets, the relief organization, the first responders in Syria that are just trying to provide for the basic needs and safety and wellbeing of citizens who are caught in the crossfire," he said. "There were also military strikes against the facilities that ensure that civilians in eastern Aleppo have access to drinking water. "The idea of weaponizing access to a clean water supply for civilians, it is beyond the pale. And people of good conscience around the world should speak up and are speaking up," Earnest went on.
He cautioned that "Russia will have to account for their actions in the context of the consequences they are likely to provoke --. They are drawing themselves even deeper into a sectarian conflict inside of Syria." They have also "failed the test" when it comes to the Cessation of Hostilities (CoH) deal struck with the US two weeks ago, he pointed out.
"The United States has not had to make any concessions in order to pursue peace," Earnest said. "We were quite clear from the beginning that our efforts against extremists was going to continue unabated and that if Russia wanted to cooperate with those efforts, they would have to demonstrate a commitment to reducing the violence and allowing the flow of humanitarian assistance -- coordination is what Russia says that they want, and it will not be provided by the United States until they deliver on the commitments that they have made (but) they have walked back from them," he added. (end) ys.gb