BICOM

The UN envoy to Syria has called for the creation of a humanitarian corridor to evacuate civilians if the Syrian regime begins an offensive against rebels in Idlib.

Staffan de Mistura said: “There is a perfect storm based on warnings, counter-warnings which is gathering around and due to the dilemma, which is a true dilemma on how to defeat terrorists in Idlib and at the same time avoid affecting a huge number of civilians … I am once again prepared … personally and physically, to get involved myself … to ensure such a temporary corridor would be feasible and guaranteed for the people so that they can then return to their own places once this is over.” De Mistura acknowledged that the corridor would likely involve evacuating civilians to Government held territory and this would require the Syrian regime’s support and a UN presence.

On Wednesday, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that a full-scale military operation in Idlib province could lead to a “humanitarian catastrophe” and cautioned against the use of chemical weapons. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said “terrorists” must be wiped out in Idlib, accusing them of using civilians as human shields. Lavrov and Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem accused rebels of preparing to stage a chemical attack in Idlib in order to blame pro-government forces and incur a US military retaliation.

Earlier this week, the Russian Navy sent its largest task force to the Mediterranean Sea since September 2015. Thirteen vessels armed with cruise missiles have travelled from the Black Sea via the Bosphorus to support the imminent Syrian regime’s assault on Idlib.

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Russian was in talks with rebel leaders in Idlib to reach a “peaceful resolution” similar to agreements in Eastern Ghouta and Deraa.

Almost three million people live in Idlib where, according to UN estimates, there are 10,000 al-Nusra and al-Qaeda fighters.