Syria's armed opposition rejects Russian 'safe zones' plan

Syria's armed opposition rejects Russian 'safe zones' plan
By Euronews
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button
Copy/paste the article video embed link below:Copy to clipboardCopied

Syria’s armed opposition is rejecting a Russian plan to create safe zones in the country, saying it is a threat to territorial integrity.

ADVERTISEMENT

Syria’s armed opposition is rejecting a Russian plan to create safe zones in the country, saying it is a threat to territorial integrity.

The memorandum, signed by Turkey – which supports rebels – and Iran – which backs President Bashar al-Assad, aims to improve the deescalation process.

But the opposition says it will not recognise Tehran as a guarantor.

“We refuse any role for Iran and militias affiliated with it. We refuse for it (Iran) to play any role as guarantor, considering it’s a nation with hostilities against the Syrian people,” said Osama Abu Zaid, a Syrian opposition delegation member.

The plan was not immediately published, so the details of it are unclear. But it appears the thinking behind the safe zones is that they would help widen a ceasefire, and could potentially be policed by foreign troops.

The US says it is also sceptical about Iran’s involvement. It also has concerns about Damascus’ track record on previous agreements.

Share this articleComments

You might also like

Libya’s new National Dialogue is a chance for European leaders to make things right

Peace talks over Nagorno-Karabakh as ethnic Armenians flee the violence

A century after his birth, Shimon Peres' legacy could be the beacon of hope we all need