Blinken calls for civilian protection amid escalating Syrian conflict
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 31: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a joint news conference at the State Department October 31, 2024 in Washington, DC. Blinken and Austin are meeting with their South Korean counterparts for a 2+2 diplomatic and defense meeting. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday urged for the protection of civilians and minority groups in Syria as opposition forces advanced against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
In a phone conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Blinken stressed the necessity of safeguarding vulnerable populations amid the escalating conflict.
“Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of protecting civilians, including members of minority groups, across Syria,” U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated. The discussion also underscored the need for a political resolution to Syria’s protracted war.
The appeal comes as Syrian opposition forces gain significant ground, intensifying challenges for Assad’s government.
The Muslim Parrot reported that thousands of residents fled the central Syrian city of Homs overnight as opposition forces pressed their rapid advance southward.
This follows the capture of Aleppo in the north and Hama in the center by the rebels, delivering significant setbacks to President Bashar al-Assad nearly 14 years after Syria’s conflict began.
