Regional Tensions Rise as Turkey Urged to Mediate Syrian Conflict

The Biden administration has urged Turkey to restrain the actions of Syrian rebel groups it supports, amid escalating tensions in Syria. This request was reportedly made during a phone call between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The US attributes the current situation to President Bashar al-Assad's refusal to engage in a political process and his reliance on Russia and Iran. The Syrian National Army, backed by Turkey, has been involved in recent attacks on Kurds, while the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has captured parts of Aleppo.