Iran-backed Iraqi fighters have entered Syria to help dictator Bashar al-Assad contain the rebel advance. Iran’s Foreign Minister said the country supports the Syrian leader. Iran-backed Iraqi militias have entered Syria in recent days to help the government’s counteroffensive against rebels who have taken control of Aleppo, the country’s second-largest city.
According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, around 200 Iraqi militiamen crossed the border at night, using pickup trucks.
“These are new reinforcements sent to help our comrades on the front lines in the north,” a senior military officer told the Reuters news agency.
Fighting continues around Aleppo and Idlib
Led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the insurgents launched a double attack on the city last week and moved into the countryside around Idlib and neighboring Hama province.
Syrian and Russian air attacks against rebel positions persist, especially in the two provinces.
The civilian relief organization White Cascos said at least 25 people were killed during the offensive.
A Russian government spokesperson said that “we obviously continue to support Bashar Assad and maintain contacts at the appropriate levels.”
The US, EU and UN are calling for a reduction in violence
On Monday (02/12), the United States, the European Union and the United Nations called for a political process that seeks to end the country’s internal conflict. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “alarmed” by the escalation of violence.
“We want all countries to use their influence to push for de-escalation, protection of civilians and, ultimately, a political process,” U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said at a news conference.
EU foreign affairs spokesperson Anouar El Anouni warned about protecting civilians and criticized Russia for using airstrikes in densely populated areas.
The UN estimates that since fighting resumed in the long internal conflict between November 26 and December 1, at least 44 people have died and around 48,500 have been displaced in the area.
“Syrians have endured conflict for almost 14 years. They deserve a political horizon that offers a peaceful future, not further bloodshed,” Guterres’ spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.
Iran reiterates support for Syria
On Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran’s envoys would remain in Syria “according to the wishes” of Damascus.
“We entered Syria many years ago, at the official invitation of the Syrian government, when the Syrian people were faced with the threat of terrorism,” he said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus on Sunday and announced Tehran’s full support for his government.
“I clearly announce the full support of the Islamic Republic of Iran to President Assad, the government, the army and the people of Syria,” Aragchchi said.
Iran’s foreign minister then arrived in Turkey, a major supporter of the rebels, where he said both countries agreed that Syria “should not become a center for terrorist groups.”
His Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, said it would be a mistake to label the cause of the current escalation of violence in Syria as “foreign interference”.
Syrian Kurds were fleeing fighting en masse after Turkish-backed rebels seized the town of Tal Rifaat from US-backed Kurdish authorities.
sf (DW, Reuters, AP)
Source: Terra
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