Iran Ready to Mediate between Syria, Turkey over Idlib Crisis

TEHRAN (defapress) – Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations voiced the country’s readiness to help resolve the conflicts between Syria and Turkey after an escalation of tensions in Syria’s northwestern region of Idlib.

News ID: 80141

Date: 07 February 2020 - 15:54

In comments at an extraordinary meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in Idlib, held on Thursday, Majid Takht Ravanchi said Iran, as a guarantor state of the Astana process, was ready to contribute to the settlement of the tensions between Syria and Turkey in Idlib.

He also warned against the dire situation in Idlib, stressing that the crisis in Syria’s northwestern province should not get out of control.

Stressing the need for the political settlement of the crisis in Idlib, the Iranian UN envoy said, “We should not allow the terrorists to stabilize their positions in Idlib, or more civilians will be killed.”

Takht Ravanchi also described an upcoming meeting of the Astana peace process in Tehran as a good opportunity to address the situation in Syria.

He finally emphasized the necessity for a continued fight against terrorism in Syria, adding, “Everyone must respect Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and independence.”

In recent days, tensions have escalated between Syria and Turkey in Idlib.

Turkey’s defense ministry said Monday that seven Turkish soldiers and one Turkish civilian were killed in Idlib by Syrian army shelling.

In response, Turkish forces launched an operation that it said “neutralized” 76 Syrian soldiers.

On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned of further action if Syrian troops did not retreat from Turkish observation posts in Idlib.

The United Nations has sounded the alarm over a severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in Syria's northwest, where a Russian-backed Syrian government push against the country's last rebel-held stronghold has forced more 500,000 people from their homes in two months.

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