Britain and the US condemn regime attack in Idlib 

The British and US governments have condemned the Assad regime’s attack on Idlib, a de-escalation zone in Syria.

Britain’s Foreign Office Minister Andrew Morrison denounced on Monday an attack on Syria’s Idlib province by forces loyal to the regime of President Bashar Al-Assad in which five Turkish soldiers and three Turkish civilians were killed. At least 13 Syrian civilians were also killed.

“I condemn the Assad regime’s attacks in Idlib today and the unacceptable loss of life of Syrian civilians and Turkish soldiers,” Morrison said on Twitter. He called on the Assad regime and its ally Russia “to adhere to agreed ceasefires and take urgent action to deescalate tensions.”

I condemn the Assad regime’s attacks in Idlib today, and the unacceptable loss of life of Syrian civilians and Turkish soldiers. We call on the regime and its backer, Russia, to adhere to agreed ceasefires and take urgent action to deescalate tensions.

— Rt Hon Andrew Murrison MP (@AWMurrison) February 3, 2020

The US sent condolences to Turkey, and offered its full support for its “justified self-defence”.

“We stand by the US’ NATO ally Turkey against these actions, send condolences to the Turkish government on the deaths of their people and fully support Turkey’s justified self-defence actions in response,” a State Department spokeswoman told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity.

READ: Displacement of 700,000 Syrians to Turkey due to regime campaign in Idlib and Aleppo