UN worries about situation in Syria's Idlib amid escalating violence

UNITED NATIONS, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The top United Nations political official told the Security Council on Wednesday that the Secretary-general had concerns about the situation in Idlib in recent weeks amid escalating violence.

"We've seen reports of exchanges of artillery and mortars; of airstrikes, some reported to have hit civilian targets, causing civilian casualties and further displacement of tens of thousands," said Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under Secretary-general for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, during her briefing to a meeting of the 15-member Security Council on the situation in the Middle East.

There are reports of rocket attacks and cross-line raids by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) which have resulted in casualties among government soldiers and civilians, she added. The HTS was considered as a terrorist movement by Turkey, Russia and the United States.

Idlib has been in a state of lawlessness and the humanitarian situation across the country remains dire. Turkey and Russia brokered a deal in September to impose a demilitarized zone in Idlib and its surrounding areas. However, the deal wasn't fully implemented as the HTS was supposed to withdraw from the zone but it didn't.

The United Nations is worried about the strain this escalation has placed on the Memorandum of Understanding between Russia and Turkey that, since September 2018, has largely contained the scope of military operations in the area, said DiCarlo.

In order to maintain the cease-fire deal, Turkey and Russia recently started coordinated patrols in and around Idlib. DiCarlo hoped it will help avoid further escalation in the northwest, and she urged them to uphold their agreed arrangements for Idlib and press all concerned to halt violence and stabilize a dangerous situation.

DiCarlo also called on the guarantors to work together to address the issue of Security Council-listed terrorist groups in full compliance with international humanitarian law.

Last week, the Syrian Democratic Forces, backed by the U.S.-led international coalition, proclaimed the capture of Baghouz, the last remaining territory held by the Islamic State in Syria.