Cyprus’ foreign ministry on Monday night called for the “utmost restraint” as the war in Syria reignites.

The ministry said it is “closely following developments in Syria” and that it has “persistently supported United Nations Security Council resolution 2254”, which was adopted in December 2015 and calls for a ceasefire and a political settlement to the Syrian civil war.

“We call for the utmost restraint and that international humanitarian law is fully respected, especially as regards civilians, including minority groups,” it added.

The ministry’s message comes after Russian and Syrian aircraft bombed the rebel-held city of Idlib in northern Syria after insurgents had swept into Syria’s second city Aleppo on Friday night.

Most of Aleppo is now in rebel hands, though the Syrian army now says it has recaptured several towns which rebels had taken in recent days.