MOSCOW, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Russia is alarmed by the escalation of the situation in Syria, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Friday.
Moscow called on Syrian leaders who can influence the development of the situation on the ground to bring an early end to the bloodshed and prevent civilian casualties, Zakharova said.
The spokesperson added that Russia hopes that countries with influence on the situation in Syria will contribute to its normalization and Moscow is determined to closely coordinate efforts with foreign partners to de-escalate the situation.
Intense clashes erupted in Syria's coastal cities of Latakia and Tartous over the past 24 hours, as government forces moved to crack down on armed resistance. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, since the onset of the clashes, 35 members of government forces, 32 fighters affiliated with the former regime and four civilians have been killed, with dozens wounded. ■
