Intel: Pompeo calls on Syria to release US prisoners amid coronavirus fears

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today urged President Bashar al-Assad to release all “arbitrarily detained” Syrians and US citizens amid fears that the coronavirus pandemic is primed to rapidly take hold and spread throughout the war-torn country.

“We have asked the Syrians to release all those who are wrongfully detained — not only Americans, but others as well,” Pompeo told a small group of reporters. “We’re calling on the Islamic Republic of Iran to do the same at this time, where there is enormous health risk to these individuals, on a purely humanitarian basis.”

Pompeo also noted that he discussed Syria on a teleconference call today with fellow foreign ministers from the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations — a group that comprises the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.

“We also spent time discussing Syria, where the Russians, the Iranian regime, Hezbollah and the Assad regime are strengthening Europe with a humanitarian disaster and preventing a political solution,” said Pompeo.