US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin engaged in a conversation with Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler over the weekend to address the ongoing developments in Syria, as per a statement released by the Pentagon.
During the discussion, Secretary Austin underscored the United States' vigilant monitoring of the statements and activities of the diverse opposition factions within Syria. Both officials mutually acknowledged the imperative for these groups to take proactive measures to safeguard civilians, particularly ethnic and religious minorities, and adhere to established international humanitarian standards.
Austin and Guler further emphasized the critical necessity of averting any potential escalation, minimizing risks to US military personnel and allied forces, and sustaining efforts to combat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
