The rebels are advancing, the Assad regime is launching a counterattack: the situation in Syria is escalating dramatically. Now Germany and NATO partners are calling for moderation.
The United States, Germany, France and the United Kingdom have all called for de-escalation in Syria, where rebels have marched on government-controlled areas in the past few days, reigniting violence in the 13-year-long conflict.
An alliance of Syrian rebel factions led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) reportedly seized control of Aleppo over the weekend. Syrian President Bashar Assad announced a counteroffensive, launching airstrikes with the help of allies.
Syrian and Russian airstrikes on the rebel-held city of Idlib in northwestern Syria killed at least 25 people, the opposition-run rescue service White Helmets, said early on Monday.
Assad’s army also said it had recaptured several towns from the rebels.
Taiwan eyes defence spending hike to counter China pressure
Cliff Notes – Taiwan eyes defence spending hike to counter China pressure Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te announced a plan to invest an extra $40 billion
