U.S., Turkey FMs discuss de-escalation in northern Syria
ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held on Sunday discussions on the rapidly evolving situation in northern Syria.
According to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, the discussions emphasized the urgency of de-escalation and safeguarding civilian lives and infrastructure in conflict-hit areas.
In a press release, Miller highlighted that the two diplomats discussed strategies to address the escalating tensions while prioritizing the protection of civilians and critical infrastructure in the affected regions, including Aleppo.
The meeting comes as Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, aka the Syrian National Army (SNA), and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, once known as al-Nusra Front), launched a large-scale offensive on Nov. 27.
The operation has led to the SNA and HTS seizing full control of Idlib governorate, extensive parts of Aleppo, and areas in the countryside of Hama. Government forces have reportedly retreated from most of these territories.