Opponents of Assad Reject Russia's Plan for Safe Zones in Syria

Armed opponents of Bashar Assad's government have rejected Russia's plan to create safe zones in Syria, calling it a threat to the territorial integrity of their country. The opposition also emphasizes their opposition to Iran being designated as a guarantor and observer of the ceasefire. Turkey, which supports the Syrian rebels, and Iran, which backs Assad's government, announced their support for Russia's plan to reduce the intensity of the war in Syria and establish safe zones in the country by signing an agreement on Thursday, May 14. Reuters reports that this led to severe criticism from Osama Abu Zaid, the Syrian opposition representative in the peace talks in Astana, Kazakhstan's capital, who stated that they oppose the division of Syria. Mr. Abu Zaid said, "We want the territorial integrity of Syria to be preserved... Regarding this agreement, we can say that we are not among its signatories and certainly, as long as Iran is mentioned as one of the guarantor countries [of the ceasefire], we will never support it." He then referred to the ceasefire agreement announced by Russia last December, adding, "We already have an agreement. Why can't this be implemented? We have an agreement that was signed five months ago. Why has it not been implemented yet? Why are we now bringing up the issue of safe zones?" Osama Abu Zaid ultimately held Russia responsible for the failure to implement agreements, stating, "Russia cannot or does not want to fulfill its promises, and that is the fundamental problem." Reuters writes that many representatives of the Syrian opposition left the negotiation session in protest against the issue of safe zones, causing a delay in signing the agreement. Previous reports indicated that safe zones would be established in four areas of Syria under the control of the opposition, aimed at expanding the ceasefire to other areas of Syria. According to this plan, foreign forces will monitor the ceasefire.