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Parties agree on Syria de-escalation zones boundaries in Astana talks

Compiled from news agencies MIDDLE EAST
Published September 15,2017
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Turkey, Russia and Iran have agreed Friday on the boundaries of the de-escalation zones, including the main opposition-held region of Idlib, at the Syria talks in Kazakh capital Astana.

Talks will continue regarding which forces will be deployed in Idlib, Turkey's official Anadolu Agency quoted diplomatic sources.

The parties previously agreed to establish four de-escalation zones, where intense fighting is taking place between the opposition groups and the Assad regime, at the Astana meeting held on May 3-4.

According to a memorandum signed between the parties, the de-escalation zones would include areas in Idlib province and certain parts of the provinces of Latakia, Aleppo and Hama, certain parts of Homs province, eastern Ghouta and Damascus as well as certain parts of Deraa and al-Quneitra.

In addition to termination of fighting, de-escalation deals also include ending flights and air strikes by the regime or U.S.-led anti-Daesh coalition.

At the fifth meeting on July 4-5, it was agreed that the parties would resume work on the boundaries of the zones.

A separate deal was reached between U.S. and Russia in southern Syrian cities of Deraa and Quneitra, and Russian military police was deployed in the area to monitor the cease-fire started on July 9.

Russian Defense Ministry also declared a cease-fire deal in Damascus suburb of eastern Ghouta.

Russia also announced a cease-fire deal in Homs, however, the deal was only reached with an opposition group that has limited dominance in the area.

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