De-Escalation Zones Take Effect In Syria

 MOSCOW- De-escalation zones across Syria have officially gone into effect as of midnight tonight in the country, Sputnik reported.

Earlier on Friday, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that four de-escalation zones in Syria will go into effect at midnight.

General Sergey Rudskoy, chief of the main operational directorate of the general staff of the Russian armed forces, said “if there’s need, based on the development of the situation, the memorandum” for the creation of the de-escalation zones in Syria “allows for the formation of additional zones”.

According to Russian media, he said the largest of the four de-escalation zones covers Idlib province, the northeastern part of Latakia province, the eastern areas of Aleppo province and the northern areas of Hama province.

The second de-escalation zone is in the northern area of Homs province and includes the cities of Al-Rastan and Tel-Biss; a third zone is in eastern Ghouta; and a fourth zone is in southern Syria, on the borders of Daraa and Quneitra provinces.

Russia, Turkey and Iran, the guarantor countries of the Syrian ceasefire, agreed during talks in Astana to monitor the de-escalation zones, but Rudskoy said “forces from other parties could be involved with the agreement of the guarantor states”.

He also said the guarantor countries would establish a joint work group within two weeks to draw up by June 4 the exact borders of the de-escalation zones, as well as plans to separate armed opposition groups from terrorist groups.

Once the memorandum goes into effect, the Russian air force will “continue to support” Syrian government troops “in their operations to eliminate ISIS militants”, Rudskoy said.

He said they will concentrate on the offensive in eastern Palmyra and on retaking Deir ez-Zor and the southeastern areas of Aleppo province.

H.M