Memorandum on areas of de-escalation in Syria comes into effect
Moscow. May 5. INTERFAX.RU — Memorandum on the establishment of a de-escalation in Syria, signed by Russia, Turkey and Iran on the eve of the framework of the UN in Astana, comes into force on Friday.
“This Memorandum shall enter into force on the day after the signing,” the document says.
“The creation of zones of de-escalation and security zones is a temporary measure, the validity of which will be 6 months. It will be automatically extended by consensus of the guarantor countries”, — stated in the Memorandum.
As the document says, “2 weeks after the signing of a Memorandum guarantor countries will form a working group to de-escalate composed of their authorized representatives to indicate the boundaries of the zones de-escalation and security zones, and resolve other operational and technical issues associated with the implementation of the Memorandum”.
“The guarantor countries to the 4th of June 2017 will take steps to complete the preparation of maps of areas of de-escalation and security zones, and maps for branches of armed opposition groups from (.. .) terrorist groups (DAISH/ISIL, “Front EN-Nusra”, al-Qaida, banned in Russia — Interfax)”, — stated in the document.
In addition, a joint working group to the specified date will prepare maps of the zones of de-escalation and security zones for approval of the guarantor countries, as well as draft Regulations of the joint working group.
“The joint working group will report on its activities at the ongoing in Astana the international high-level meetings on Syria,” — said in a Memorandum.
“Inside the zones de-escalate any clash between the conflicting sides (the Syrian government and armed opposition groups that joined and will join in the cease-fire) with the use of any weapons, including aircraft, will be terminated”, — reads the document.
In addition, the zone of de-escalation will be provided with rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access; created the conditions for the delivery of medical care to the local population and to meet the basic needs of the civilian; will create conditions for safe and voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons within the country, reads the Memorandum.
“Along the lines of the zones of de-escalation will have established a security zone to prevent incidents and armed clashes between the conflicting parties”, — the document says.
According to the document, the security zone will include checkpoints to ensure the smooth movement of unarmed civilians and humanitarian access and to facilitate economic activity.
In addition, provides for the establishment of security zones, observation posts “to ensure compliance with the terms of the cease-fire.”
“The operation of checkpoints and observation points, as well as managing security zones will be ensured by the forces of the guarantor countries on the basis of consensus,” — said in the text of the Memorandum.
The guarantor countries in Syria will take all necessary measures for the implementation of the ceasefire, the accession of a new armed opposition groups, and notes the Memorandum on the establishment of a de-escalation.
“The guarantor countries will continue efforts to accede to the ceasefire of armed opposition groups that have not yet acceded to it. The guarantor countries will take all necessary measures to ensure fulfillment of the ceasefire regime by the conflicting sides,” the document says.
According to the Memorandum, the guarantor countries will take “all necessary measures to continue the fight against DAISH/ISIL, the Nusra Front and other individuals, groups, acts associated with al Qaeda or DAISH/ISIL, as indicated by the UN Security Council, and outside the areas of de-escalation”.