Russia, Iran and Türkiye monitor safe zone in Idlib (Syria)

A “Joint Russia-Iran-Türkiye Coordination Center” will be established to “coordinate the activities of the de-escalation forces.”

Russia, Iran and Türkiye reached an agreement yesterday (September 15) to jointly monitor the fourth de-escalation zone around Syria's Idlib province, as part of a plan to end the Syrian crisis.

A bus carrying Syrian refugees in Idlib. Photo: AFP.

In a joint statement after two days of talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, the three countries agreed to “allocate” forces to monitor an area including the opposition-held Idlib province, areas adjacent to Latakia, Hama and Aleppo.

The joint statement also said Russian, Iranian and Turkish forces would be deployed along lines agreed earlier this month in Ankara, Türkiye, but did not provide further details on the exact timing and locations.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said the observers would be tasked with preventing clashes between the Syrian government and the opposition and violations of the ceasefire, while Russia said each side would send about 500 observers to Syria.

A “Joint Russia-Iran-Türkiye Coordination Center” will also be established to “coordinate the activities of the de-escalation forces.”

Russian negotiator Alexander Lavrentyev described the agreement as the “final stage” in establishing four de-escalation zones, adding that the agreement would “create a clear roadmap for ending the bloodshed” and offer hope for “restoring peaceful life” in Syria./.

According to VOV