Germany condemns Syrian regime attacks in Idlib

BERLIN

Germany on Monday strongly condemned the Syrian regime for its aerial bombardments and ground attacks in Idlib, a northwestern province under a nominal cease-fire.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, German Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman Rainer Breul expressed grave concerns over the escalating situation in the region.

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the regime’s military offensive, and call for an immediate cease-fire,” he said.

Breul urged all conflicting parties to contribute to de-escalation, and expressed hope that recent talks between Turkey and Russia could help ease the conflict.

He underlined Russia’s special responsibility as one of the main supporters of the Assad regime.

The regime's recent military offensive on Idlib has led to fears of a humanitarian crisis and another refugee influx towards Turkey and Europe.

Located in northwestern Syria, the province has been a stronghold of the opposition and anti-regime armed groups since the start of the civil war in 2011.

It is currently home to some 4 million civilians, including hundreds of thousands displaced in recent years by regime forces across the country.

On Monday, at least five Turkish soldiers were martyred and several injured in an attack by Assad regime forces on troops stationed in Idlib to monitor a cease-fire and fight terrorist groups.

Ankara said it launched immediate retaliation, hitting regime targets.

Berlin's statement came before the Assad regime attack.

Turkey and Russia agreed in September 2018 to turn Idlib into a de-escalation zone where acts of aggression are expressly prohibited.

But more than 1,800 civilians have been killed in attacks by regime and Russian forces since then, flouting both the 2018 cease-fire and a new one that started on Jan. 12.

Almost 1.5 million Syrians have moved near the Turkish border due to intense attacks in recent months.

Syria has been locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011, when the regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity.

Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and more than 10 million others displaced, according to UN officials.