US State Department accuses Assad's forces of violating agreement on de-escalation zones in Syria
The US Department of State expressed concern on about reports that Syrian government forces are conducting operations in one of the de-escalation zones in southwestern of Syria in violation of previously-reached agreements.
"The United States remains concerned by reports of impending Syrian government operations in southwest Syria within the boundaries of the de-escalation zone [that had been] negotiated between the United States, Jordan, and the Russian Federation last year and reaffirmed between Presidents Trump and Putin in Da Nang, Vietnam in November," said State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert in a press statement issued on June 14.
According to Nauert, "any Syrian government military actions against the southwest de-escalation zone risk broadening the conflict." "We affirm again that the United States will take firm and appropriate measures in response to Syrian government violations in this area," Nauert specified.
"Russia is duly responsible as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to use its diplomatic and military influence over the Syrian government to stop attacks and compel the government to cease further military offensives. We request that Russia fulfill its commitments in accordance with UNSCR 2254 and the southwest ceasefire arrangement," the statement concluded.
Nauert did not indicate the source of the reports regarding the military actions attributed to Syria's army in the zone of de-escalation.