Astana Syria talks conclude, Russia says will halt airstrikes

Syria peace talks held in Kazakhstan’s Astana concluded Thursday afternoon with Russia pledging to halt air raids on opposition-held areas and creating a strict mechanism to monitor the ceasefire.

Russian ministry of foreign affairs declared that a number of issues have been agreed upon to de-escalate the situation in Syria, including creating a strict mechanism to monitor the ceasefire by forming a trilateral Russian, Turkish and Iranian committee.

Head of the opposition’s delegation, Muhammad Alloush, said that the opposition did not enter the meeting room before obtaining guarantees from Russia to halt bombardment on the opposition-controlled areas in Syria.

Opposition refused to discuss any other issues such as the constitution, holding elections or any other political issues, Alloush pointed out adding that “negotiations about ceasefire mechanisms will be taken to Ankara,” without specifying any date or giving further details.

Earlier on Thursday, Osama Abu Zeid, the consultant of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in Syria peace talks in Astana said that the negotiations witness difficulties and differences between the guarantor countries, which casts shadows over the meeting.

The new round of talks on Syria ceasefire, backed by Russia, Turkey and Iran started Thursday after a day’s delay.