International concern grows over Idlib crisis

BRUSSELS – During a European Union summit in Brussels on Thursday, a phone conversation was made between Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss the situation in Idlib, where nearly one million displaced civilians have fled an advancing Syrian Arab Army (SAA).

Macron and Merkel expressed their deep concern about the humanitarian situation in Idlib region and called for ending the conflict and providing humanitarian aid to the population there. They also informed Putin that they wanted to meet him and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to find a political solution to the worsening crisis in Idlib.

During the phone call, President Putin stressed the need to take serious steps against the terrorists present in Idlib.

A statement released by the Office of the Russian presidency expressed that the phone call between the three heads of state focused on settling the Syrian crisis, due to the worsening conditions in Idlib, caused by the attacks of armed mercenaries against the SAA and civilians.

The Russian statement also said that Putin stressed the need to neutralize the terrorist threat and separate terrorist groups from the opposition.

Macron and Merkel also expressed their willingness to contribute in decreasing the tension in northwestern Syria.