04/07/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 4 July, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service condemned the escalation in violence in south west Syria, and the continuous air strikes by the Syrian regime and its allies that have already forced more than 270,000 civilians to flee and that have destroyed critical infrastructure, including several health facilities. "Such attacks are clear violations of international law and international humanitarian law that also put at risk any progress in Geneva for the resumption of the political talks under UN mediation", the EEAS spokesperson said, adding that the EU will continue to support "humanitarian partners to step up their response to address the critical needs of those displaced and their host communities". Rebels and Russian negotiators were meeting on 4 July to discuss the return of the region to the control of the regime in exchange for a halt to the hostilities. (CG)