WASHINGTON, June 3. /TASS/: US President Donald Trump called on Russia, the Syrian authorities, and Iran to stop bombing the territory of the Syrian province of Idlib.
Since the evening of May 21, militants of the Jabhat al-Nusra (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham terrorist grouping outlawed in Russia) have been launching massive attacks in the southern portion of the Idlib de-escalation zone on the government troops’ positions, using the armor, multiple launch rocket systems and suicide bombers’ vehicles.
In an interview with journalists on the South Lawn of the White House before flying to the UK, Trump said that he does not like what is happening in Syria with Idlib, as many people, civilians are killed indiscriminately.
In accordance with a decision made by Russia, Iran and Turkey - the guarantors of the Syrian ceasefire - four de-escalation zones were set up in Syria in May 2017. They include the Idlib Province, some parts of its neighboring areas in the Latakia, Hama and Aleppo provinces, Eastern Ghouta, as well as some areas in the Daraa and al-Quneitra Provinces in southern Syria. Damascus took control of three zones in 2014, but the fourth zone, covering the Idlib province and certain parts of the Latakia, Hama and Aleppo provinces, is still controlled by Jabhat al-Nusra.
On May 18, Syrian government forces unilaterally ceased fire in the area but militants continue to attack their positions.
