Germany cautiously backs Syria 'de-escalation zones'

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN

Germany on Friday cautiously welcomed a key agreement between Russia, Turkey and Iran to set up “de-escalation zones” in Syria.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman expressed support for the agreement but also urged Russia to exert influence over the Bashar al-Assad regime to implement provisions of this agreement.

“The establishment of such de-escalation zones can be a step in the right direction. It will be a question of whether this agreement will also be implemented on the ground,” Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said.

He underlined Russia’s prime responsibility, as one of the main supporters of the Assad regime, in observing the implementation of the agreement which came into effect on Friday.

“Russia must ensure that the Syrian regime, unlike its stance in the past, will now implement the agreement, particularly in terms of flight bans and unhindered humanitarian access,” he said.

Seibert spoke critically of Iran's role as one of the countries that would observe the agreement, describing Tehran as being among the warring parties in Syria.

According to the agreement signed on Thursday by Turkey, Russia and Iran in the Kazakh capital, Astana, the de-escalation zones cover the city of Idlib and certain parts of Latakia, Homs, Aleppo and Hama as well as Damascus, Eastern Ghouta, Daraa and Quneitra.

The agreement aims to stop the use of all types of arms, including air power, between the warring parties in the regions. The deal also aims at ensuring “emergent and continuous humanitarian aid” be sent to the regions.

The agreement will remain in place for six months, a period which could be extended automatically if the three guarantor countries agree.

According to the accord, checkpoints will ensure the safe flow of humanitarian aid and provide secure passage for civilians. Observation points will monitor the cease-fire in the region.

Syria has been locked in civil war since March 2011.

According to the UN, around 400,000 people have died in the conflict while half the population has been driven away from their homes.