BRUSSELS: US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says the United States and Turkey are having an open dialogue about their growing differences over the fight in Syria, and are “finding common ground.”
Mattis spoke at the close of a NATO defense ministers meeting. He presented a more calm view of the escalating rhetoric over America’s continued aid to the US-backed Kurdish rebels in Syria. Ankara considers those fighters a terrorist group.
Mattis, who met with Turkish Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli, calls the conversations “absolutely open and honest dialogue.” He insisted the two countries are “coming together on what we can do together.”
There have been persistent tensions between the two allies over US support for the Kurdish rebels in Syria, and Turkey’s increasing assault against Kurds in northern Syria.
Mattis: US, Turkey finding ‘common ground’ on Syria
Mattis: US, Turkey finding ‘common ground’ on Syria
Syria evacuates flood-affected residents of displacement camps in Idlib
- Emergency teams conduct drainage operations, clear culverts within camps, reopen more than 25 roads, 30 water channels
- Teams coordinate with Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, Idlib governor’s office to oversee distribution of humanitarian aid
LONDON: Authorities from the Syrian Arab Republic have evacuated dozens of families from six displacement camps in western Idlib in the past two days after severe weather caused flooding and damage.
Raed Al-Saleh, the Syrian minister of emergency and disaster management, said 173 families had been moved from camps in Badama and Khirbet Al-Jouz to temporary shelter centers in Idlib Governorate.
Emergency teams have conducted drainage operations, cleared culverts within the camps, reopened more than 25 roads and 30 water channels, and removed five earthen berms as part of preparation for further weather systems, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency.
They are coordinating with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, and the Idlib governor’s office to oversee the distribution of humanitarian aid.
A rubble removal and road restoration project in Jabal Al-Akrad in the Latakia Governorate has also been initiated to help facilitate residents’ return, the SANA added.
Heavy rainfall in northern and western Syria has resulted in flash floods since Saturday that have swept through areas near seasonal waterways in western Idlib Governorate. The floods have submerged several tents and prompted authorities to evacuate families and open temporary shelters for those displaced.
