Mattis: US reviewing Syria safe zones but has many questions
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Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said the US owes it to the people of Syria to take a close look at the Russian proposal to create several "safe zones" in Syria. But Mattis also said the plan poses many unanswered questions, including whether it would be effective.
Speaking to reporters traveling with him to Copenhagen, Mattis said the borders of the proposed cease-fire areas are still being worked out, although the general locations are "well understood." And he suggested that it's still not yet clear what impact the plan could have on the US-led fight against Islamic State militants.
"It's all in process right now," said Mattis, who was offering some of the first extensive public US comments on the agreement reached Friday by Russia, Turkey and Iran. "Who is going to be ensuring they're safe? Who is signing up for it? Who is specifically to be kept out of them? All these details are to be worked out and we're engaged."
