The US special representative for Syria, James Jeffrey
As Syrian President Bashar al-Assad prepares for an offensive against the last opposition-held stronghold of Syria’s Idlib, diplomatic efforts are increasing to prevent a “disaster.”
The State Department said the new U.S. special representative for Syria and also former U.S. ambassador to Ankara, James Jeffrey, will travel to Israel, Jordan, and Turkey with his delegation alongside from Saturday to Tuesday on his first official trip abroad.
“In Turkey, the Ambassador and DAS Rayburn will meet with Turkish leaders and other senior officials to reiterate the U.S. position that a military offensive in Idlib will escalate the crisis in Syria and the region, risk the lives of humanitarians and Syrian civilians, and destroy civilian infrastructure. They will also commend Turkish leadership on their continued compassion for those affected by the Syrian conflict,” a statement read.
The United Nations on Thursday called on Russia, Iran and Turkey to forestall a battle in Idlib which would affect millions of civilians.
Located near the Turkish border, Idlib has been designated as a de-escalation zone endorsed by Turkey, Russia and Iran where acts of aggression are expressly forbidden as part of the ongoing Astana process.
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif arrived in Damascus on Monday for talks ahead of a planned trilateral summit on war-torn Syria.The top diplomat was welcomed by Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad upon arrival at the airport.The visit comes amid preparations by Syrian regime forces and allies to attack the northwestern Idlib province, the last major opposition stronghold in Syria.“Al-Nusra and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham terrorist group must be cleaned out of Idlib,” Zarif said in statements.According to Iran’s official IRNA news agency, Zarif will hold talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem later in the day.Israel may strike Iran targets outside Syria: LiebermanLocated near the Turkish border, Idlib has been designated as a de-escalation zone where acts of aggression are expressly forbidden as part of the ongoing Astana process.Nevertheless, for the past two months, the Idlib de-escalation zone has been the target of particular fierce airstrikes by Russia and Assad regime forces.A tripartite summit is scheduled to be in Iranian capital on September 7 to discuss the situation of resolving the 7-year conflict in Syria.Syria tripartite summit ‘step to peace’: IranThe summit, which will be held at the level of heads of state and foreign ministers, will be held as a follow-up to the Astana meeting held in Kazakhstan in mid-March.Iran and Shia group Hezbollah are strong allies of the Bashar al-Assad regime, whose forces have been fighting opposition groups in a deadly civil war since 2011.Since then, hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have been killed and millions more displaced by the conflict.‘US is preparing to strike over 20 regime positions in Syria’
Idlib must be ‘cleaned out of terrorists’: Iran FM
Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Monday hinted that Israel could strike Iranian targets outside Syria.The Israeli Broadcasting Authority quoted Lieberman as saying: “We aren’t limiting ourselves to Syria. That should be clear.”Speaking at a conference in Jerusalem, the hardline defense minister did not elaborate on the nature of the Iranian targets that Israel might attack.In recent months, Israel has admitted to striking a number of Iranian targets inside Syrian territory.‘US is preparing to strike over 20 regime positions in Syria’UNRWA chief defends refugee criteria for millions of PalestiniansIsrael signals it could target Iranian military assets in IraqWorld-famous artists boycott Israeli music festivalIsraeli navy injures Palestinian during boat protest
Israel may strike Iran targets outside Syria: Lieberman