Syria Accepts Preparing for Military offensive

These steps of Russia come at a time of increasing tensions with the West in this region.

After talking to his Russian counterpart in Moscow, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem, has said on August 30th that his state army “will enter Idlib” and that the initial “set” will be Front Al-Nusra, having ties to Al-Qaeda.

These comments have come amid growing concerns from the United Nations and the West about the dangers facing civil populations in the event of escalation of the situation.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has reiterated on August 29th, this organisation's concern for the increased “risks of facing a humanitarian catastrophe in the event of military operation” in Idrib.

This province represents the last territory controlled by Syrian rebels.

Guterres has appealed to the Syrian Government, Russia and other “parties as priority protection of civilians”.

Mowalem has told reporters that, the Syrian army “will do everything to ward off civilian victims” during the offensive in Idlib.

In response to warnings from the United States, Britain and France about not using chemical weapons, Mowalem has claimed that Syria's army does not need and does not possess such weapons.

Investigators at the UN Organisation for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons have estimated that Syrian Government forces have used sarin and chloride gas in attacks against rebel forces.

Syrian authorities have denied these charges.

Earlier on August 30th, the Russian Defence Ministry has announced the development of major military exercises in the Mediterranean Sea this week, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said the difficult situation in Syria has justified conducting the same ones.