US Turkish embassy voices concern over Idlib offensive

By Faruk Zorlu

ANKARA

The U.S. embassy here on Tuesday reiterated its concern for a Syrian regime military offensive in Syria's Idlib.

"A Syrian military offensive in Idlib will be an escalation of the Syrian conflict that will risk the lives of humanitarian workers and Syrian civilians, destroy civilian infrastructure, imperil the prospects for a political settlement in Syria, fuel support for terrorism, and harm regional stability,” the U.S. Mission in Turkey said on Twitter.

"U.S. Special Envoy to Syria, James Jeffrey met with Turkish counterparts to discuss their new role and the underscore the importance of continued the U.S. - Turkey cooperation in resolving the Syrian conflict in a manner consistent with UNSCR 2254," it added.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on Tuesday met Jeffrey in Ankara.

"He commended the Turkish government and people for their continued compassion for those affected by the Syrian conflict," it noted.

On Tuesday, Russian warplanes bombed several areas in Idlib, raising worries of a major assault by the Assad regime forces and its allies.

A trilateral summit of Turkey, Russia and Iran on Syria is scheduled for Friday, with the participation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.