Syrians, fled from their hometowns, close to Israeli border
The UN Human Rights Commission on Tuesday called on Syria's Bashar al-Assad regime to protect civilians from terrorist attacks and build trust among the local community.
In a statement, the commission also condemned recent attacks by Daesh in the southwestern Syrian district of As-Sweida.
“The Government of Syria has a duty to take action to prevent violent acts that may endanger the lives and well-being of civilians.”
Turkish military presence in the Syrian province of Idlib ensures security in the region, the former prime minister of the Syrian Interim Government said during a Syria meeting in Sochi, Russia, on Tuesday.The Syrian opposition wants to transform Idlib from a deescalation zone into a zone of a permanent cease-fire, Ahmad Tu’mah, who led the opposition groups at the 10th round of Astana format meeting of the guarantor countries, said at a news conference.Fourth convoy of evacuees from Daraa arrives in Idlib Assad regime deploys troops, tanks to wage war against Syria’s Idlib”The presence of Turkish allies at the control points on the regional borders ensures security," he said following the meeting.Meanwhile, Russian Presidential Envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentyev, ruled out the possibility of any military operation in Idlib.“There cannot be any talks of an all-out offensive," he said, speaking at a separate news conference in Sochi.Last week, the regime began a military buildup in southwestern Idlib in a bid to attack Syria’s northwestern Turkmen Mountain region, which is located within the de-escalation zones.Idlib was a top issue during the Astana meeting, as the Turkish delegation stressed the importance of maintaining the cease-fire regime in the region.
Turkey ensures security in Idlib: Syrian opposition
The UN urged the regime to take into account those who committed the crime against humanity.
“We are also concerned that the situation in As-Sweida may worsen, particularly if the local communities do not trust the government to protect them or defend their rights,” the statement added.
Syria has only just begun to emerge from a devastating conflict that began in 2011, when the ruling Assad regime cracked down on demonstrators with unexpected ferocity.
Thousands of Syrians have returned to terror-free regions in Syria following Turkish military-led Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch. According to Interior Ministry officials, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media, some 190,000 Syrians have voluntarily returned.Turkey, US complete 22nd round of patrols in ManbijTurkey supports the return of Syrians in peaceful and stable regions, according to the officials.Turkey on Jan. 20 launched Operation Olive Branch to remove YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from northwestern Afrin. On March 18, Turkish troops and Free Syrian Army liberated the Afrin district center.Since the launch of the operation, a total of 4,546 terrorists have been neutralized, according to the Turkish military.PKK/YPG terrorist surrenders in southeastern TurkeyTurkish military and Free Syrian Army (FSA) continue sweep and clear activities in Afrin while taking utmost care about the safety of civilians.Meanwhile, Turkish and American armed forces have been conducting patrols in the northern Syrian city of Manbij as part of a deal with the U.S. to rid the area of the YPG/PKK terror group.Operation Euphrates Shield, which began in August in 2016 and ended in March 2017, also eliminated terrorists along the Syrian border.
190,000 Syrians return to liberated hometowns
The UN’s Syria envoy has discussed with representatives of Turkey, Iran, and Russia the formation of a committee to rewrite Syria's Constitution, he said on Tuesday.The informal consultations took place on day two of the 10th round of Syria peace talks in the Astana format in the Russian Black Sea city of Sochi.After the gathering, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura told journalists that the meeting had been "useful".Earlier the regime and opposition each submitted to de Mistura a list of 50 candidates to represent them on the committee.In addition to the formation of a constitutional committee, the 10th round of Syrian talks is focused on the latest situation in de-escalation zones in Idlib, the return of refugees, and the release of prisoners.Last week, the regime began a military buildup in southwestern Idlib in a bid to attack Syria’s northwestern Turkmen Mountain region, which is located within the de-escalation zones.Idlib is set to be a top issue during the Astana meeting, as the Turkish delegation is expected to stress the importance of maintaining the cease-fire regime in the region.
UN, Turkey, Iran, Russia talk Syrian charter committee