UK Edition
The United States has angrily dismissed claims on Jeremy Corbyn’s behalf suggesting that America bears as much responsibility for civilian deaths in Syria as Russia does.
A state department spokesman accused Vladimir Putin of “deliberately” putting civilians in harm’s way, a day after the Labour leader’s most senior spokesman suggested protesters target both country’s embassies.
Seumas Milne said focusing on Russian involvement “diverts” attention from atrocities committed by Western powers.
Labour’s shadow foreign and defence secretaries appeared to distance themselves from the remarks, while the party’s MPs called for Mr Milne to be sacked.
A state department spokesman said the difference between Russia and the US was that “when we cause civilian casualties its unintentional”. They are “a mistake” he said, “not a deliberate attempt to put civilians in harm’s way.”
Kevan Jones, Labour’s former defence minister, called Mr Milne “an apologist for the Russian regime”.
He added: “To compare British military action in Syria, which is legal and rules-based, to what the Russians are doing is not only an insult to our brave servicemen and women but is clearly aimed to excuse the abhorrent behaviour of Russia.”
In a briefing to journalists Mr Milne had said: “The focus on Russian atrocities or Syrian army atrocities – which is absolutely correct – sometimes diverts attention from other atrocities.”
He then accused the US and Britain of reluctance to accept independent assessments of attacks resulting in civilian deaths. Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, had called for protests outside the Russian embassy during a debate in the Commons on Tuesday.
Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, and Nia Griffith, the shadow defence secretary, both condemned Russian actions in the region which have led to the deaths of innocent men, women and children.
Brendan Cox, widower of the murdered Labour MP Jo Cox, wrote of Mr Milne’s remarks: “This isn’t just wrong, it’s absolutely disgraceful.”
Asked about Mr Corbyn's spokesman's comments, John Kirby, the US state department spokesman told The Telegraph that he would not "respond to every bit of rhetoric from every leader around the world about what they perceive our motives to be."
He said the difference between Russia and the US is that "when we cause civilian casualties its unintentional".
"What we have seen in and around Aleppo with respect to the Syrian regime and Russian military aircraft is a wanton disregard for the safety and security of civilians and an indiscriminate approach to the bombing, which is absolutely not at all in concert with the way we conduct our military operations."