ADVERTISEMENT

Kazakhstan to hold new Syria talks next week

The two-day talks in Astana will begin on December 21 and will focus on freeing prisoners, the delivery of humanitarian aid, the functioning of de-escalation zones and other issues, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The announcement came as Russian leader Vladimir Putin ordered a partial withdrawal of Russian forces in Syria during a surprise visit to the war-torn country earlier Monday.

Nearly all of the seven rounds of Syria negotiations in Astana have involved representatives of the Syrian regime and the armed opposition, as well as the three power-brokers: Russia, Iran and Turkey.

Moscow has spearheaded the talks in Astana since the start of the year as it tries to turn its game-changing military intervention into a negotiated settlement.

ADVERTISEMENT

Both Russia and Iran have thrown their support behind the regime of Bashar al-Assad, while Turkey has provided backing to the rebels.

The negotiations, which run in parallel to broader UN-backed talks in Geneva, involved armed rebels and government officials and have focused mainly on military issues.

The Kremlin also hopes to convene a political congress in the Black Sea resort of Sochi which would bring together regime officials and the opposition to reinvigorate a hobbled peace process.

More than 340,000 people have been killed since the conflict broke out in March 2011 when protests against Assad's rule sparked a brutal crackdown.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

FG to review recent price hike of DStv, GOtv packages amid public outcry

FG to review recent price hike of DStv, GOtv packages amid public outcry

BREAKING: FG grants Air Peace right to commence Abuja-London flights - Keyamo

BREAKING: FG grants Air Peace right to commence Abuja-London flights - Keyamo

Deputy who dumped Akeredolu clinches PDP governorship ticket

Deputy who dumped Akeredolu clinches PDP governorship ticket

Gov inaugurates 2nd phase of palliative distribution to poor Enugu residents

Gov inaugurates 2nd phase of palliative distribution to poor Enugu residents

Flight Dispatchers fault Keyamo's order to suspend Dana Air over landing mishap

Flight Dispatchers fault Keyamo's order to suspend Dana Air over landing mishap

Respite for Nigerians as NNPC says cause of fuel scarcity has been resolved

Respite for Nigerians as NNPC says cause of fuel scarcity has been resolved

Again, JAMB extends Direct Entry registration, says 2024 UTME best in history

Again, JAMB extends Direct Entry registration, says 2024 UTME best in history

Lagos residents need real empowerment, not your food packs, LP tells Sanwo-Olu

Lagos residents need real empowerment, not your food packs, LP tells Sanwo-Olu

Ikoyi prison controller in trouble for disobeying court order on convict's whereabouts

Ikoyi prison controller in trouble for disobeying court order on convict's whereabouts

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT