The fifth round of negotiations aimed at ending the Syrian civil war begins on Tuesday in Kazakhstan's capital Astana. Two-day peace talks, which are sponsored by Russia, Iran and Turkey, will be focused on establishing four safe zones in a country that is for years being ravaged by a bloody civil strife.
Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry confirmed earlier that representatives of both the Assad regime, which is backed by Russia and Iran, and the Turkey- backed opposition will be present during the talks.
Astana meetings should cement the plan for creating safe havens in Syria which was agreed back in May between Moscow, Tehran and Ankara. The deal carved out areas where all sides will halt hostilities, including air strikes for 6 months. However, it was never fully implemented, but this latest round of talks could give a glimpse of hope, after the Syrian army unilaterally announced a halt to fighting until midnight on July 6 in the southern provinces of Daraa, Quneitra and Sweida, which cover roughly the area of one of the four proposed zones.
The Astana talks are expected to contribute to broader UN-sponsored negotiations held in Geneva which are due to continue in mid-July.