USA skeptical towards the creation of zones of de-escalation in Syria
WASHINGTON, may 15. /Offset. TASS Anatoly Bochinin/. The United States is skeptical of the agreement on the establishment of a de-escalation in Syria, which was reached during the last conference in Astana.
This is today’s spacefire for journalists was declared by the acting assistant Secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs Stuart Jones.
“I participated in a conference in Astana as an observer from the United States. At the meeting held by Turkey, Russia and Iran as guarantors of the process in Astana, agreement was reached on the creation of zones of de-escalation, to reduce violence and save lives, he said. In light of the failure of past agreements, we have reason to be skeptical”.
Jones once again said that Syrian authorities “have a duty to stop attacks” on opposition groups and Russia “should ensure that (these conditions) regime (of President Bashar al-Assad)”.
As previously reported, delegations of Russia, Iran and Turkey during the talks in Astana agreed on the establishment of four zones of de-escalation in Syria. In these zones consists of Idlib province and parts of neighboring provinces of Aleppo, Latakia and Hama, the area North of HOMS and Eastern ghouta and the southern province of Deraa and Quneitra. The agreement provides that from may 6 in these zones, a ban on military activity, including aviation. The instrument is designed for six months and may automatically be renewed for the same period.