De-Escalation Zone Deal Does Not Legitimize Turkish Military Presence: Syria

Damascus appreciated any initiative that would lead to the resolution of the Syrian conflict, stop the shedding of Syrian blood and alleviate the nation’s sufferings, an unnamed official source at the ministry told SANA news agency.

The source added Syria had authorized both the Russian and Iranian sides to complete the final agreement on the northwestern province of Idlib on the grounds that they are the guarantors of the deal, and the Turkish government changes it positions and stops arming, financing and dispatching terrorists to Syria, and helps establish security in the troubled areas.

“Therefore, the agreement to set up de-escalation zones in Syria does not legitimize the presence of Turkish troops on the Syrian soil, and the Syrian government views such deployment as illegal,” the diplomat pointed out.

"Based on the Syrian government’s commitment to positively interact with any initiative that would solve the crisis in Syria, stop the shedding of Syrian blood and alleviate the suffering of Syrian people, Syria took part in the past 6 rounds of Astana talks and it was  open in dealing with all participating parties,” the source said.

It added that all documents and agreements issued, particularly de-escalation zone agreements, have been reached after consultations between the Syrian government, Russia and Iran.

The source noted that the Syrian government deputized the Russian and Iranian parties to complete  the final agreement on Idlib province as long as they are the two guarantor states of the Syrian side, pointing out that it is an opportunity for the Turkish side and Erdogan’s government which guarantee the armed terrorist groups to retreat from their position in support of terrorism and stop arming, financing and supplying terrorists and sending them to Syria which will help restoring security to these areas.  

”Syria stresses that agreement on establishing a de-escalation zone in Idlib province is a temporary deal that aims at reviving the ancient Damascus-Hama-Aleppo road which will contribute to reducing the suffering of civilians and facilitate movement to Aleppo and neighboring areas,” the source said.

It reaffirmed that Syria will not waive its right to preserve its independence and territorial integrity and it will not halt its war to eradicate terrorism wherever it exists and whoever supports it.

Russia, Iran, and Turkey, which together act as guarantor states in peace talks for Syria, recently agreed on the details of a “de-escalation zone” in the Arab country’s western Idlib province during talks in the Kazakh capital of Astana.