US delegation headed to Middle East to discuss Syria and Iran

Ahead of an expected assault by the Syrian Army backed by Russia and Iran in Idlib, a US delegation will visit Jordan, Turkey and Israel to coordinate and reassure Syria’s neighbours.

The US State Department announced late on Friday that newly appointed Special Representative for Syria Engagement James Jeffrey, accompanied by Near Eastern Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary and Special Envoy for Syria Joel Rayburn, will visit Israel, Jordan, and Turkey beginning on Saturday.

In Israel, the delegation “will meet with senior government officials to discuss our shared interest, in reference to Syria, in maintaining Israel’s security while countering Iran’s destabilising activity throughout the region,” the statement read. “They will also underscore that the United States will respond to any chemical weapons attack perpetrated by the Syrian regime.”

In Jordan and Turkey, Mr Jeffrey and Mr Rayburn will also focus on Syria and “reiterate the US position that a military offensive in Idlib will escalate the crisis in Syria and the region, risk the lives of humanitarians and Syrian civilians, and destroy civilian infrastructure,” the State Department said.

Eyeing Russia, the delegation will address Moscow’s “specious allegations of international plans to stage a chemical weapons attack in Syria”.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blasted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for "defending (the) Syrian and Russian assault".

US options are limited on the ground in Syria but a US official speaking to the Washington Post on Thursday said: “Right now, our job is to help create quagmires [for Russia and the Syrian government] until we get what we want,” in responding to Idlib.

“This approach involves reassuring the three key US allies on Syria’s border- Israel, Turkey and Jordan- of continued American involvement” according to the report.