With ceasefire imminent, Syria opposition groups hold fresh talks in Astana

As Syria gears up for a potential political settlement, key players in Syria’s war, which includes Russia, Turkey and Iran, are currently holding a 2-day closed-door meeting (Monday and Tuesday) in Kazakh capital, Astana, on ways to implement a lasting ceasefire agreement and framework for a political settlement.

The ongoing talks are aimed at finalising a plan for four so-called “de-escalation zones” across eight of Syria’s 14 provinces. The zones will include certain areas of Idlib, Latakia, Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Eastern Ghouta, Deraa and al-Quneitra.

The meeting which is organised by Russia and Iran are known to support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, and Turkey, which backs the opposition, has present, representatives of the Syrian government and some armed opposition groups

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The plan, which calls for a halt to regime air strikes in these areas, would last for a period of at least six months and be extended if necessary. And issues on the release of hostages, prisoners, food and aid delivery to besieged areas, the transfer of dead bodies and the search for missing persons will also be discussed.

The talks mark the beginning of the latest diplomatic initiative to put an end to nearly six years of war that have left much of Syria in ruins, killed nearly half a million people, and displaced half of the population.

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