De-escalation Zones

UN chief Antonio Guterres on Monday called for "restraint" in Iraq and asked all parties to "take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation" as Baghdad's Green Zone descended into chaos, according to his spokesman.

The United States warned Syria on Friday it would take "firm and appropriate measures" in response to ceasefire violations, saying it was concerned about reports of an impending military operation in a de-escalation zone in the country's southwest.

Daraa is among the areas included in a plan for "de-escalation zones" agreed by regime backers Russia and Iran and rebel supporter Turkey earlier this year.

Fighting subsided in Syria on Saturday after a deal signed by government backers Russia and Iran and rebel supporter Turkey to create four "de-escalation zones" began to take effect.

UN chief Antonio Guterres on Monday called for "restraint" in Iraq and asked all parties to "take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation" as Baghdad's Green Zone descended into chaos, according to his spokesman.

The United States warned Syria on Friday it would take "firm and appropriate measures" in response to ceasefire violations, saying it was concerned about reports of an impending military operation in a de-escalation zone in the country's southwest.

Daraa is among the areas included in a plan for "de-escalation zones" agreed by regime backers Russia and Iran and rebel supporter Turkey earlier this year.

Fighting subsided in Syria on Saturday after a deal signed by government backers Russia and Iran and rebel supporter Turkey to create four "de-escalation zones" began to take effect.