Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in Turkey on attacks in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria.

Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

As a close NATO ally, we regularly engage the Turkish Government on regional stability, including in Syria. The Foreign Secretary most recently discussed this issue with the Turkish Foreign Minister in Ankara on 20 October. The UK recognises Turkey's legitimate security interests in the region but encourages restraint from activity that could lead to further destabilisation or civilian loss of life. Security and stability in the region are necessary to prevent worsening of the already serious humanitarian situation in northern Syria and enable the Global Coalition and its partners to continue the fight against Daesh. HMG encourages all international actors to do everything possible to ensure that sufficient aid reaches those in need.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of attacks on villages in northern Syria, including Derik, Rotan, Um Harkan, Shalhomya, and Malla Abbas, on or around 20 November, resulting in civilian fatalities, including journalists.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We do not hold sufficient evidence to comment on these reported attacks. The UK is closely monitoring developments. We are engaging partners, encouraging restraint from activity that could lead to further destabilisation or civilian loss of life. Security and stability in the region are necessary to prevent worsening of the already serious humanitarian situation in northern Syria and enable the Global Coalition and its partners to continue the fight against Daesh.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what are the key components of their Joint Analysis of Conflict and Stability (JACS) assessment on northern Syria; and what steps they are taking to address the situation.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Syria Joint Analysis of Conflict and Stability (JACS) highlights security and stability issues in north east Syria, although overall the UK ensures interventions take a 'whole of Syria approach'. The UK is focused on reducing risks of instability, securing the long-term defeat of Daesh and providing life-saving and life-sustaining assistance to improve resilience of the local populations. The UK remains committed to supporting the Global Coalition Against Daesh to prevent Daesh resurgence, including in north east Syria.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with representatives of the UNHCR on the establishment of credible mechanisms to actively monitor the protection situation inside Syria and the conditions for safe, voluntary and dignified return to Syria for refugees who wish to do so.

Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

While the UK Government hopes that Syrian refugees will, ultimately, be able to return home, we agree with the UN judgement that conditions in Syria do not currently allow this. We are engaged with the UNHCR on its framework review which will address these issues more closely. However, only a political solution under UN Security Council Resolution 2254 can ensure conditions safe for returns. UN Envoy Geir Pedersen has our full support in this effort.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Turkish government on mitigating the potential risk of a Russian-led escalation of tensions on the situation in Idlib.

Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary

Ministers and officials regularly discuss the situation in northern Syria with the Government of Turkey. We urge all parties to continue adherence to ceasefire agreements and international law. We remain committed to the Global Coalition Against Daesh. The UK is also in regular contact with Turkey on humanitarian conditions in north west Syria. We continue to play a leadership role in addressing humanitarian need both as a donor and through our role on the UN Security Council.