Queen’s University Middle East expert Houchang Hassan-Yari is available to comment on Syria apologizing through the United Nations for the mortar strike which killed five civilians in southeast Turkey. The regime issued a formal apology and reassured the UN that such an incident would not occur again.

“As for the question of apology by Syria, the Assad regime showed its ability not to keep its word,” says Dr. Hassan-Yari. “The regime is very nervous and apparently not in full control of its forces. There might be rogue elements in the official armed forces who would like to provoke a massive Turkish retaliation to end the current deadlock.”

Please note that Dr. Hassan-Yari wants to be identified in the media as a Middle East expert from Queen’s University and Royal Military College. He is available between 12:30 and 2:30 pm on Thursday and then after 4 pm.

To arrange an interview, please contact communication officers Anne Craig at 613-533-2877 or anne.craig@queensu.ca or Michael Onesi at 613.533.6000 ext. 77513 or michael.onesi@queensu.at Queen’s University News and Media Services Department in Kingston, Ont., Canada.

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