Trump warns Syria, Russia and Iran of "potential human tragedy" in Idleb

US President Donald Trump on Monday called on Syria and its allies, Iran and Russia, not to conduct a "reckless" offensive against the province of Idlib, the last major rebel stronghold in Syria.

US President Donald Trump warned Syria on Monday against an offensive in Idleb, the last Syrian region controlled by the rebellion, saying that such an operation could cause a "human tragedy" .

"Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should not rashly attack Idleb Province. Russians and Iranians would make a grave humanitarian mistake by taking part in this potential human tragedy, " Donald Trump tweeted.

President Bashar al-Assad of Syria must not recklessly attack Idlib Province. The Russians and Iranians would be making a grave humanitarian mistake in this potential human tragedy. Hundreds of thousands of people could be killed. Do not let that happen!

"Hundreds of thousands of people could be killed. Do not let that happen! He added.

The United Nations and NGOs have warned that a major attack on Idleb could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe of unprecedented magnitude since the outbreak of the Syrian conflict in 2011.

For several weeks, the Syrian regime has amassed reinforcements near the province of Idleb, located in the north-west of the country, on the border with Turkey.

The province is in the crosshairs of the regime and its Russian ally who are particularly targeting the jihadists of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group dominated by the fighters of the former Syrian branch of Al Qaeda.

Turkey, a sponsor of some rebel groups, has also deployed troops in the region and is seeking to avoid an assault that would provoke a massive new influx of refugees on its territory.

Since the beginning of 2017, Tehran, Moscow and Turkey have been supporting talks in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, to try to stop hostilities in Syria.

Iran and Russia provided regular political, financial and military support to Bashar al-Assad throughout the conflict.

Triggered in 2011 with the repression by the regime of pro-democracy demonstrations, the Syrian conflict has transformed over the years into a deadly war that has left more than 350,000 dead and millions of displaced and refugees.