8 European nations urge Assad allies to uphold Idlib ceasefire

Eight European countries are urging Assad allies Russia and Iran to uphold the ceasefire in Syria’s last major opposition-held province of Idlib and avoid putting at risk the lives of two million adults and one million children.

In a statement Thursday (Sep. 6), the eve of a meeting in Tehran between the presidents of Russia, Turkey and the Iranian regime, the eight nations warned that a full-scale military offensive in Idlib would have "potentially catastrophic humanitarian consequences for civilians," CBC reported.

Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom also urged Assad regime "to exercise restraint."

Olof Skoog, ambassador and permanent representative of Sweden to the UN, said at the organization’s headquarters in New York that a full-scale military operation in Idlib would escalate an already dangerous conflict in a volatile region, AA reported.

"We express our support for the urgent diplomatic efforts being made to this end by Turkey and the United Nations," said Skoog. 

Skoog demanded that Russia and Iran uphold "ceasefire and de-escalation arrangements they have previously agreed, including protecting civilians as a matter of priority".

"Idlib is the last remaining de-escalation zone in Syria that the Astana guarantors committed to safeguard.