US alarmed over escalation of violence in Syria's Idlib, northern Hama

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, April 30 (KUNA) -- The US said Tuesday that it is "alarmed" over the escalation of violence in Idlib and northern Hama in Syria, stressing that "the violence must end." State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a statement "ongoing Russian and regime airstrikes, along with attacks by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other groups connected to Al-Qaeda in Syria, continue to destabilize the region, exacerbate the dire humanitarian situation, and cause dozens of civilian deaths and injuries - many of them children." It added that "Russia and the regime also blatantly continue to militarily target humanitarians such as White Helmets volunteers as they attempt to save victims in many of these affected communities.

"The United States reiterates that any escalation in violence in northwest Syria will result in the destabilization of the region," it noted.

It called on "all parties, including Russia and the Syrian regime, to abide by their commitments to avoid large scale military offensives, return to a de-escalation of violence in the area, and allow for unhindered humanitarian access to address the humanitarian disaster created by the ongoing violence." (end) si.ibi

MENAFN3004201900710000ID1098459756