US-Led Coalition Has No Orders to Create Safe Zones in Syria

The US-led coalition has not received any orders to start creating safe zones for civilians in Syria, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman John Dorrian said in a briefing on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Earlier, Trump said in an interview with ABC News that he plans to create safe zones for civilians in Syria.

Trump emphasized the option was preferable to letting millions of refugees into Europe or the United States, having previously characterized the EU approach of accepting millions of refugees a "disaster."

"We have not received orders to set up safe zones at this point," Dorrian stated.

On Tuesday, Vice President of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces Abdul Hakim Bashar said Trump was committed to his promise of creating safe zones in Syria.

Bashar added that he expected the US-promoted safe zones would cover areas near the country’s border with Israel and Lebanon.

Trump discussed on Sunday the issue with the Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud and gained his support.

Following Trump’s conversation with the Saudi king, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that any creation of security zones in Syria would require a practical agreement with the Syrian authorities.

Russia said it intends to clarify the issue in a conversation with the United States, Lavrov added.