Comment by the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Alexander Lukashevich regarding outbreaks of intersectarian violence in Iraq and Syria

According to the incoming messages, new terrorist attacks were committed in Iraq, targets of which were primarily civilians. More than 40 people heading to Shiite sanctities in Karbala became victims of diversions in Baghdad. Another 17 pilgrims died in a terrorist attack in Mosul, 5 persons died in Jihadist attacks on city administration in Tikrit mostly populated by Sunnis. In total, in the past two days, sorties of terrorists have taken lives of more than 60 persons, over a hundred were wounded.

We express our condolences to the families and friends of the dead, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. We support efforts of the Iraqi authorities to decisively counteract all the manifestations of extremism and terrorism.

It is to be noted that the explicit aims of these acts of violence are to arouse an intersectarian conflict. It is evident that these are attempts to arise contradictions between Sunnis and Shiites and to build up tensions on vast territories of Iraq, as well as Syria and Lebanon, on these grounds. Similar methods of provocations and terror against civilians are used in these attempts.

Just recently it has been reported that Jihadists seized Adra in 20 km to the northeast of Damascus and organised a mass slaughter there. Alawite and Druze families were among the victims. About 80 people were killed, above 200 civilians were taken as hostages.

Moscow is convinced that such criminal actions deserve general and decisive condemnations and must be stopped as soon as possible. The confrontation to their perpetrators and sponsors on behalf of international community must be effective and uncompromised.

17 December 2013