BICOM

Russia’s Defence Ministry confirmed four of its jets bombed targets in Idlib. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 13 civilians were killed. Russia said it hit targets linked to an al-Qaida-affiliated group, including a weapons depot and a launch pad for drones.

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said yesterday that any Russian military action in Syria has tried to minimise civilian casualties.

Ryabkov told RIA news agency: “We, as we have said many times before, act precisely, selectively, trying to minimise possible risks to the peaceful population”.

Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt tweeted yesterday: “Alarming reports of Russia airstrikes in NW Syria with numerous media outlets stating civilian casualties. The protection of civilians is paramount. A humanitarian catastrophe in Idlib must be avoided – the lives of 3 million people are at stake.”

The presidents of Russia, Turkey and Iran will meet tomorrow in Iran to discuss the situation in north-western Syria. Russia’s Ambassador to Turkey, Aleksei Erkhov said the summit “is a great opportunity for a solution in Syria”. Turkey hopes a government offensive on Idlib will be averted and has said it would be disastrous.

Mustafa Sejari, a commander in the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in Idlib, told Reuters: “We realise the extent of vengeance and massacres that will befall us if they get our heads. They will slaughter us. The coming battle is to be or not to be.”

On Tuesday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo agreed that a Syrian government offensive in Idlib would be “an unacceptable, reckless escalation”. Turkey is concerned that a Syrian-led attack on Idlib will trigger a mass exodus of refugees towards the Turkish border. Turkey has already taken in 3.5 million Syrian refugees and President Erdogan is under domestic pressure not to take in anymore.