Germany warns of ‘catastrophe’ in Syria’s Idlib

A major Syrian military offensive in the northern province of Idlib would spark a "humanitarian catastrophe", Germany warned on Friday.

"The federal government is very worried about the escalation of the situation in northwestern Syria," the government's deputy spokeswoman told a news conference in Berlin.

"A large-scale military operation of the Syrian regime in and around Idlib would spark another humanitarian catastrophe with potentially hundreds of thousands of people seeking shelter near Turkey's border," Ulrike Demmer said.

She recalled that Chancellor Angela Merkel had discussed these developments with Russian President Vladimir Putin two weeks ago.

"We expect from Russia to use its influence on the Syrian regime to prevent an escalation and a humanitarian catastrophe," she stressed.

Demmer also underlined that an unhindered humanitarian access to Idlib should be ensured.

On Monday, Merkel spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump over the phone to discuss the situation in Syria, amid reports that the regime in Damascus was preparing for a major military offensive against the province controlled by the opposition forces.

Idlib falls within a network of de-escalation zones -- endorsed by Turkey, Russia and Iran -- in which acts of aggression are expressly prohibited.