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Russia compared to Nazis ahead of UK Syria debate Russia compared to Nazis ahead of UK Syria debate
(about 5 hours later)
A former cabinet minister has likened Russia's role in Syria to the Nazi regime in 1930s Spain, ahead of an emergency Commons debate on the humanitarian situation in Aleppo.A former cabinet minister has likened Russia's role in Syria to the Nazi regime in 1930s Spain, ahead of an emergency Commons debate on the humanitarian situation in Aleppo.
Andrew Mitchell accused Russia of "shredding" international law with its bombing campaign in the country.Andrew Mitchell accused Russia of "shredding" international law with its bombing campaign in the country.
The Tory MP also accused Russian forces of committing a war crime by attacking a UN relief convoy last month.The Tory MP also accused Russian forces of committing a war crime by attacking a UN relief convoy last month.
The three-hour emergency debate will be held later in the day.The three-hour emergency debate will be held later in the day.
The northern city of Aleppo has become a key battleground in Syria's bloody five-year civil war.The northern city of Aleppo has become a key battleground in Syria's bloody five-year civil war.
Aleppo: Key battleground in Syria's warAleppo: Key battleground in Syria's war
Syria aid convoy attack: What we knowSyria aid convoy attack: What we know
France call to prosecute Russia at ICCFrance call to prosecute Russia at ICC
How Moscow’s Syria campaign has paid off for PutinHow Moscow’s Syria campaign has paid off for Putin
The UK government has strongly criticised Russia's bombing of Syria, while French President Francois Hollande has suggested Russia could face war crimes charges over its actions in Aleppo.The UK government has strongly criticised Russia's bombing of Syria, while French President Francois Hollande has suggested Russia could face war crimes charges over its actions in Aleppo.
Mr Hollande also said he might refuse to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is due to visit France next week.Mr Hollande also said he might refuse to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is due to visit France next week.
Russia says it is targeting terrorists and has denied carrying out the attack on the aid convoy.Russia says it is targeting terrorists and has denied carrying out the attack on the aid convoy.
Calling for a Commons debate on the "unfolding humanitarian catastrophe", Mr Mitchell, a former international development secretary, told MPs: "The use of incendiary weapons, munitions such as bunker buster bombs and cluster bombs... the UN make clear that the systematic use of such indiscriminate weapons in densely populated areas amounts to a war crime.Calling for a Commons debate on the "unfolding humanitarian catastrophe", Mr Mitchell, a former international development secretary, told MPs: "The use of incendiary weapons, munitions such as bunker buster bombs and cluster bombs... the UN make clear that the systematic use of such indiscriminate weapons in densely populated areas amounts to a war crime.
"We are witnessing events which match the behaviour of the Nazi regime in Guernica in Spain."We are witnessing events which match the behaviour of the Nazi regime in Guernica in Spain.
"Russia is shredding the international rules-based system of law.""Russia is shredding the international rules-based system of law."
Mr Mitchell, who served in the Army in his pre-parliamentary life, added: "They are destroying the United Nations and its ability to act, in the same way the Germans and the Italians destroyed the League of Nations in the 1930s."Mr Mitchell, who served in the Army in his pre-parliamentary life, added: "They are destroying the United Nations and its ability to act, in the same way the Germans and the Italians destroyed the League of Nations in the 1930s."
Coalition of the willing
He told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme the debate should give the UK government additional ideas on how to galvanise the international community to take action.
Mothers in Aleppo "want the fighting to stop", he said, and "anything that any of us can do... we should be doing".
He said no one wants to see a firefight with Russia or shoot down a Russian plane, but the international community has an avowed responsibility to protect that must be exerted.
If that meant confronting Russian airpower defensively on behalf of the innocent people on the ground, then so be it, Mr Mitchell said.
The UK should explore with its allies how it would enforce a no fly zone, as part of a coalition of the willing.
Last month Prime Minister Theresa May said the UK would "never intentionally strike or focus on Syrian forces", after Britain confirmed it took part in air strikes that killed dozens of Syrian troops.Last month Prime Minister Theresa May said the UK would "never intentionally strike or focus on Syrian forces", after Britain confirmed it took part in air strikes that killed dozens of Syrian troops.
At least 62 Syrians were killed in the strikes, as the US said it may have accidentally hit a government position.At least 62 Syrians were killed in the strikes, as the US said it may have accidentally hit a government position.
Last week Russia vetoed a Franco-Spanish UN Security Council resolution calling for an end to the bombing.Last week Russia vetoed a Franco-Spanish UN Security Council resolution calling for an end to the bombing.
The BBC's diplomatic correspondent James Landale said MPs had not formally debated Syria for months and had instead been distracted by the "bloodshed" of Brexit.The BBC's diplomatic correspondent James Landale said MPs had not formally debated Syria for months and had instead been distracted by the "bloodshed" of Brexit.
Our correspondent added that MPs would discuss what more the British government - if anything - could do to protect civilians, increase access to aid and reduce the violence.Our correspondent added that MPs would discuss what more the British government - if anything - could do to protect civilians, increase access to aid and reduce the violence.