US renews its opposition to buffer zones in Syria

A spokesman for the US State Department has said that the US rejects the idea of establishing buffer zones in Syria, or even “safe refuge” areas, Al-Quds newspaper has reported. John Kerby explained that America’s position has not changed, and pointed out that Washington has always opposed these plans.

His remarks came after claims that Turkey and Jordan are about to establish such zones in Syria. The Turkish and Jordanian armies were reported to be ready to invade Syria for the first time since war engulfed the country in 2011. Both countries are anxious to stem the flow of refugees.

Turkey has prepared 18,000 troops to carve out a buffer zone in northern Syria and use its air force to impose a no-fly zone against Syrian aircraft.

Sources report that the Jordanian army is also ready to cross into southern Syria. According to Israeli intelligence website Debka, Jordan and Israel are said to be planning joint air cover and the creation of a parallel no-fly zone in the south.