Deal on safe zones in Syria to come into effect 21:00 GMT on May 5 : Russian MoD

The agreement for safe zones in Syria will come into force on Friday at 21:00 GMT, the Russian Defense Ministry announced. Russia, Iran and Turkey negotiated the memorandum on Thursday in Astana, Kazakhstan.


Speaking to journalists on Friday, Deputy Defense Minister Aleksandr Fomin said the deal brings hope for a more comprehensive cessation of hostilities in Syria.

“It was supported by all principal players, including the UN, the US administration, Saudi Arabia and other nations, so there is a certain degree of guarantee that the memorandum will be implemented,” he said.

“It is coming into force tomorrow, or rather at midnight Moscow time, on May 6.”

The memorandum designates four areas in Syria as safe zones, where armed groups opposing the Syrian government and not supporting a jihadist agenda would be protected from attacks. They are expected not to allow terrorist groups use them as safe havens.

The largest safe zone is in northern Syria, covering Idlib Governorate as well as parts of Latakia, Aleppo, and Hama, according to the Russian military.

The second covers the northern part of Homs Governorate, where around 180,000 civilians live.

The third zone encompasses the Damascus neighborhood of Eastern Ghouta, a small region controlled by the terrorist group Al-Nusra Front.

The last one is in parts of southern Syria bordering Jordan.
 rt.com
5/5/17
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