UN envoy: Syria bombs may show Islamic State feels ‘cornered’

22 February 2016, 4:45 pm

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The UN special envoy for Syria says deadly weekend bombings in Homs and a Damascus suburb claimed by the Islamic State group suggest it is feeling “cornered” amid an intensified diplomatic push to end the country’s five-year war.

Staffan de Mistura told The Associated Press on Monday that this week is shaping up as crucial in the diplomatic efforts to help end the war, though he declined to provide details of the negotiations.

Syrian firefighters spray water on burning car at the site of a double car bomb attack in the Al-Zahraa neighborhood of the central Syrian city of Homs on February 21, 2016. (AFP/STRINGER)

The UN said earlier that de Mistura “strongly condemns” Sunday’s explosions in Homs and the Sayyida Zeinab suburb that killed nearly 130 people.

US Secretary of State John Kerry has said a “provisional agreement” has been reached on a cessation of hostilities that could begin in coming days. Diplomats say some details remain to be worked out.

— AP