Russia responsible for attack on Syria aid convoy — US

This image provided by the Syrian anti-government group Aleppo 24 news, shows damaged trucks carrying aid, in Aleppo, Syria, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016. A U.N. humanitarian aid convoy in Syria was hit by airstrikes Monday as the Syrian military declared that a U.S.-Russian brokered cease-fire had failed. The US says it is holding Russia responsible for the attack, saying two Russian SU-24 figther jets (inset) were in the area during the attack. AP

WASHINGTON, United States — The United States holds Russia responsible for the air strike that hit an aid convoy in Syria and killed about 20 people, a White House spokesman said Tuesday.

“There only could have been two entities responsible, either the Syrian regime or the Russian government,” the spokesman, Ben Rhodes, said.

“In any event, we hold the Russian government responsible for airstrikes in this space,” he added.

READ: Attack on aid convoy in Syria kills many

Two Russian SU-24 warplanes were operating in the area where the aid convoy was struck in the Aleppo region late Monday, the official said.

“The best evaluation we have is that the Russians carried out the strike,” the official added, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The United Nations says at least 18 trucks in a 31-vehicle convoy were destroyed as they delivered humanitarian assistance to Orum al-Kubra.

Russia has reacted furiously to claims it conducted the attack, and Damascus has also denied involvement.

READ: US kills 62 Syrian troops in airstrikes — Russia

The Pentagon and Russia had planned on some low levels of coordination to hit Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) targets in Syria if a fragile truce lasted for seven days, but with the ceasefire in tatters officials said plans were on indefinite hold.

The United Nations on Tuesday suspended aid convoys into Syria. The air strike came just hours after the Syrian army announced the end of the fragile cessation of hostilities.

Further fueling tensions, a US-led coalition air strike Saturday apparently killed at least 62 Syrian soldiers in eastern Syria, near the Islamic State group-controlled town of Deir Ezzor.

More than 300,000 people have been killed and millions displaced since the Syria conflict started in 2011 with anti-government protests.