Russia Calls to 'Liquidate' Militants in Syria's Idlib
The Idlib region is a refuge for millions of civilians and rebels displaced from other areas of Syria as well as powerful jihadist forces

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov calls militants in Syria's Idlib a "festering abscess" which needs to be liquidated in a press conference with his counterpart in Saudi Arabia.
The Idlib region, a refuge for civilians and rebels displaced from other areas of Syria as well as powerful jihadist forces, was hit by a wave of air strikes and shelling this month, in a possible prelude to a full-scale government offensive.
Lavrov also said on Wednesday that Moscow remained in contact with the United States on the situation in Syria's rebel-held Idlib province.
Russia said earlier on Wednesday it was discussing the situation there and in Syria's Afrin region with Iran and Turkey, as well as the Syrian government and opposition, the RIA news agency reported.
Everyone Wants to Get Iran Out of Syria. But No One Knows How to Do It ■ Syria, Turkey, Russia and U.S. to Square Off in Idlib With Millions of Civilians in the Crosshairs ■ Russia Deploys Fleet Off Syria While Claiming U.S. Preparing for Possible Strike
- Syria, Turkey, Russia and U.S. to square off in Idlib with millions of civilians in the crosshairs
- Russia again claims Syrian rebels preparing chemical attack, West will use as cause for strike
- Iran, Russia prepare to battle each other over control of post-war Syria
NATO confirmed a large scale Russian navy buildup in the Mediterranean Sea off Syria on Tuesday. “The Russian Navy has dispatched substantial naval forces to the Mediterranean, including several ships equipped with modern cruise missiles,” NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu confirmed to Haaretz in a statement.
Russia is discussing the situation in Syria's rebel-held Idlib province and Afrin region with Iran and Turkey as well as the Syrian government and opposition, the RIA news agency cited Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov as saying on Wednesday.
Russia's ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, is believed to be considering a full assault on the northern Idlib.