Syrian rebels walk out of Astana meeting as 'safe zone' deal is signed

Syrian rebels have suspended their participation in the latest round of talks in Kazakhstan in protest against ongoing air raids in the war-torn country, as Turkey, Iran and Russia  signed an agreement calling for the creation of four “safe zones” in Syria.

Russia's plan for "de-escalation" zones was backed by Iran at the Kazakhstan talks. Both countries support Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. Turkey, which supports rebel groups, also agreed to act as a guarantor.

An angry opposition delegation said they would never accept Iran as a military guarantor of a peace process, and claimed there was a huge gap between Russian promises and actions. They also questioned whether the plan could lead to Syria’s disintegration.

The Astana talks, which involve armed rebel groups, are the latest attempt to reduce the violence in Syria, where a six-year conflict has killed more than 400,000 people. Stop-start negotiations held under the auspices of the UN, and involving the Syrian political opposition, are due to recommence in Geneva in May.

The talks were meant to shore up a ceasefire which was originally agreed in December, that has since often been violated.

Under the Russian plan, safe zones would be established in rebel-held territory in the north-western province of Idlib, in parts of Homs province in the centre, in the south, and in the opposition enclave of Eastern Ghouta near Damascus, the AFP news agency reported.

According to a three-page memorandum from the Astana talks seen by the Russian Kommersant newspaper, the use of weapons would be forbidden in the safe zones, allowing for the restoration of infrastructure and essential services and the return of refugees. Humanitarian aid would also be allowed to these zones.

The safe zones would remain in place for six months, the Kremlin has said.

The UN's envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, called the agreement a step in the right direction.