Syria to Recapture Idlib Peacefully or Militarily: Deputy FM

The Syrian state will recover Idlib through war or peaceful means, a minister was quoted as saying Tuesday, pointing to the government’s determination to defeat militants there despite a Russian-Turkish deal that halted an expected army offensive.

Faisal Mekdad, deputy foreign minister, described the Idlib agreement as part of a wider diplomatic track that created “de-escalation” zones in several areas which he noted had later returned to state rule, Syria’s al-Watan newspaper reported.

“As we were victorious in every part of Syria we will be victorious in Idlib and the message is very clear to everyone who is concerned by this matter: We are coming to Idlib through war or peaceful means,” Mekdad said.

Mekdad said  that all Syrian territory would return to state control, echoing President Assad’s vow to recover “every inch” of the country.