Syrian Opposition Groups Leave Astana Peace Talks

Representatives of Syrian rebel groups left the Astana peace talks on Wednesday, May 2, in protest against the ongoing government attacks in Syria "against civilians." This comes as representatives of the Syrian government and rebel groups gathered in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, for the fourth round of their negotiations. On this day, one opposition source told AFP: "The rebel groups' delegation has suspended its participation in the meeting due to the continuation of violent airstrikes against civilians. This suspension will continue until these attacks cease across Syria." Nineteen representatives from the Syrian opposition, led by Mohammad Alloush from the Jaysh al-Islam group, traveled to Kazakhstan for the Astana peace talks. In this new round of Syrian peace negotiations, representatives from Russia, Iran, and Turkey, as guarantors of the ceasefire, as well as representatives from the United Nations, the United States, and the Syrian government are participating. One day before the new round of peace talks began in Kazakhstan, the Iranian delegation, headed by Hossein Jaberi Ansari, Deputy Foreign Minister, arrived in Astana on Tuesday. Reports indicate that this new round of negotiations is set to focus on examining Russia's proposal to establish safe zones within Syrian territory. Russia's proposal suggests creating "safe zones" in several locations in Syria, with the surrounding areas monitored by checkpoints from government forces and also by anti-government militias. The aim of establishing these areas is stated as "immediate cessation of violence, preparation for the return of refugees, and immediate delivery of medical and other assistance to residents." According to Russia's proposal, these "safe zones" should be established in the rebel-controlled area in the northwest of Idlib province, parts of Homs province, and the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta region near Damascus. The Russian proposal also states that "several observing countries such as Turkey, Iran, and Russia" could send military units to these areas and guarantee their security. On Wednesday, Ahmad Ramadan, an opposition official, told the Associated Press that the Russian proposal for creating safe zones in its current form cannot be agreed upon by the rebel groups, who have many questions regarding it. One of these questions is why these areas are designated specifically for this purpose and why such a proposal does not include all of Syria. The Syrian peace talks, which have previously been held in Geneva, Switzerland, and Astana, Kazakhstan, have yet to yield results. The Syrian civil war, ongoing for six years, has left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced. Iran and Russia are the two main allies of Bashar al-Assad's government in this war.