WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Syrian President Bashar Assad said on Wednesday in an interview with the Russian media that Turkey’s proposal to create a terrorism-free buffer zone along its southern border with Syria was unacceptable as terrorism must be eradicated everywhere.
“I would not recommend it at this point,” Lloyd stated when asked in a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing whether he would recommend a no-fly zone in Syria.
Asked whether he would advise setting up a buffer zone in Syria where refugees “might be able to come and be protected,” the army chief stated, “It will take a ground force to be able to protect the refugees there.”
“I don’t see the force available to be able to protect them currently so I would not recommend it at this point of time,” Lloyd added.
The advance of the Islamic State is being countered by efforts of Iraqi and Syrian government forces, Kurdish troops and a US-led international coalition of over 60 countries conducting airstrikes on ISIL's positions.
