'Absolutely essential to avoid full-scale battle in Idlib' - UN Sec-Gen

A full-scale battle in Idlib and the subsequent humanitarian crisis must be avoided at all cost, stated United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during a presser at the UN Headquarters in New York City on Tuesday.

"I make a clear appeal to all parties … in particular the three guarantors of the de-escalation zone, namely Iran, Russia and Turkey: Spare no effort to find solutions that protect civilians," said Guterres who cautioned against a "a humanitarian nightmare unlike any seen in the blood-soaked Syrian conflict."

Tensions in Idlib, the last de-escalation zone in Syria, have been running high as it is home to the last active al-Qaeda-linked militant cell in the war-torn country

SOURCE: UNIFEED-UNTV