Russia, Turkey and Iran signed a memorandum on creating safe zones in Syria, a move that caused the delegation of the armed Syrian opposition to walk out in anger, ending the summit which aimed at reimplementing a nation-wide cessation of hostilities in the war-torn country. “Iran are criminals. They should not sign. Iran are criminals. They cannot sign on this document,” said a Syrian opposition delegator.
The signing of the memorandum on the designated safe zones, aimed at providing displaced Syrians a safe-haven while separating moderate opposition forces from extreme Muslim militants, the Syrian opposition rejected the agreement stressing that it could not accept any creation of safe zones in Syria because it threatens the country’s territorial integrity. The rebels further claimed that they could not recognize the Islamic Republic of Iran, which supports the Assad regime, as a guarantor of any peace plan.
“The unity of Syrian territory and the elimination of any sign that it’s territories could be divided or creating a situation on the ground that cannot be reversed.” / “In the name of the Syrian people, one of whose members, Major Yasser Abdul Rahim who objected on Iran signing (agreement) is present, we refuse any role for Iran and militias affiliated with it. We refuse for it (Iran) to play any role as guarantor considering it is a nation with hostilities against the Syrian people,” said Osama Abu Zaid, Syrian opposition delegate.
Russia’s lead negotiator on Syria announced following the signing of the Memorandum that Moscow was ready to work more closely with the United States and Saudi Arabia, among other regional powers, on ending the conflict. That said, the Russian diplomat accused Washington of ignoring Moscow’s attempts to establish closer military cooperation in the war stricken country, but vowed Russia would continue to reach out to the United States to change that reality.
“We plan to further work very actively with Tehran, to work very actively with Ankara. We will focus on developing our contacts with our American colleagues. And we will work as well with regional powers including such majors as Saudi Arabia and Egypt. We hope for steps forward in solving such a complicated problem as Syrian reconciliation on part of Qatar.” / “Unfortunately, the Americans are still ignoring our attempts to establish close military cooperation. I believe it would be a step in the right direction that would help us solve many issues including the ones of the battlefield. But as I’ve said our work here will continue and we we will keep trying,” said Alexander Lavrentyev, Russian lead negotiator on Syria.
The United Nations special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura hailed the plan for creating safe zones in the war-torn country as a step in the right direction toward the establishment of a real cessation of hostilities.
“The most important thing is that this initiative today is actually a step in the right direction because it is pushing for a concrete de-escalation in addition to the ceasefire in four areas.” / “Today in Astana I think we have been able to witness an important, promising, positive step in the right direction in the process of de-escalation of the conflict,” said de Mistura
Russia, Turkey and Iran did not immediately publish the memorandum, leaving its details unclear. But the safe zones appear intended to be conflict-free in order to help implement a ceasefire, and would potentially be policed by international peacekeepers.