U.S. Defense Chief Discusses Situation in Syria with Turkish Counterpart

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Turkish counterpart Yaşar Güler during a telephone conversation discussed the situation in Syria and reiterated the need to avoid escalation. This was reported by Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder on December 8.

"Secretary Austin and Minister Guler reiterated the importance of close coordination between the United States and Turkey to prevent further escalation of an already volatile situation, as well as to prevent any risk to U.S. military forces and partners and to fulfill the mission to defeat ISIS (ISIS, banned in Russia)," the statement said.

It is specified that Austin and Guler also discussed the danger and risks of terrorist groups' activities in the region.

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Earlier in the day, incumbent US President Joe Biden said that the US administration intends to continue the fight against the international terrorist organization IS and will not allow its revival. He also added that the US plans to continue its "operation against IS, including securing detention centers where IS militants are held as prisoners."

It was also reported that Syrian formations took control of Seidnaya prison in the suburbs of Damascus. They released all the prisoners. Opposition forces also stormed the Iranian embassy in Damascus.

On Sunday, the AFP news agency reported a fire in Bashar al-Assad's presidential palace in Damascus. And Syria's National Coalition of Revolutionary and Opposition Forces said it was working to form a "transitional governing body."

Meanwhile, SAR Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali said most of the Syrian government ministers remain in Damascus. He emphasized that he is ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the people.

On November 29, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi called the opposition's activation part of the US plan amid Israel's defeat in Lebanon. The White House denied its involvement in the events.

A day earlier it was reported that armed formations launched a major attack in Aleppo and Idlib, and the Syrian army began to repel it, causing serious damage to equipment and manpower of militants.