The escalation of the situation in Syria is linked to al-Nusra Front leaders and groups allied with them to derail the reconciliation process in the country, the head of the Russian Reconciliation Center said Monday.

"The escalation of the situation in a number of Syrian regions is, before all, linked to the aim of the leaders of al-Nusra Front and groups allied with it to derail the process of reconciliation of the sides," Lt.-Gen. Sergei Kuralenko said in a statement.

"In the Aleppo region, al-Nusra Front leaders are finishing forming an assault group totaling over 6,000 militants in order to block the government troops in the city with a strike from the east, while in the north they seek to cut off access to the city of Nubl."

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said last Friday that Moscow had proposed to Washington to conduct joint airstrikes against al-Nusra Front and other terrorist groups refusing to respect ceasefire in Syria. Washington has so far rejected Moscow's proposal.

Russia calls on all sides that have joined Syrian ceasefire to respect their commitments and withdraw from areas controlled by Al-Nusra Front as the Russian aircraft will continue airstrikes against this terrorist group.

"We are calling on all involved sides to stop offensive actions, artillery shelling, and pull out from areas controlled by Nusra Front terrorists as the Russian aircraft will continue airstrikes against them," Kuralenko stressed.

The head of the Russian Reconciliation Center called for introducing the “silent period” in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta and Darayya for three days starting on Tuesday, Sputnik reported.

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