Press release

UK responds to reports of regime incursions in southern Syria

Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt has released a statement following reports of air and artillery attacks by the Asad regime in south-west Syria.

• From: Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon Alistair Burt
• Published: 22 June 2018

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government

Minister Burt said:

I am deeply concerned by the reports of air and artillery attacks by the Asad regime against the de-escalation area in south-west Syria, leading to civilian deaths and displacements in recent days.

A military offensive by the regime in this area would constitute a flagrant violation of the ceasefire and de-escalation agreement reached by Russia, the United States and Jordan last November and which the UK has supported.

We urge Russia to uphold its commitments under this agreement and ensure the Syrian regime abides by the ceasefire. Failure to do so would undermine regional stability and risk a humanitarian crisis.

Further information

• Follow Minister Burt on Twitter @AlistairBurtUK

• Follow the Foreign Office on Twitter @foreignoffice and Facebook

• Follow the Foreign Office on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn

Media enquiries

For journalists

Email newsdesk@fco.gov.uk

Published 22 June 2018