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Can Ankara ever balance its policy in Syria?

Turkey, Iran and Russia sign an agreement to establish safe zones in Syria, but the United States voices its concerns.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech at the ruling AK Party's headquarters in Ankara, Turkey, May 2, 2017. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTS14S9L
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The fourth round of cease-fire talks to resolve the six-year Syrian civil war took place in Astana, Kazakhstan, on May 3-4. Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov announced that Turkey, Iran and Russia had signed a memorandum to establish safe zones in Syria. However, the Syrian opposition groups opposed to Iran’s guarantor role in this process said they could not accept this memorandum, as the safe zone plans threaten the territorial integrity of Syria. Washington also said it has concerns about the memorandum.

According to an official statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry, there would be safe zones in “Idlib province and certain parts of Latakia, Aleppo and Hama provinces; certain parts of Homs province; Eastern Ghouta/Damascus; and certain parts of Daraa and Quneitra provinces.” The agreement is aimed at ceasing the use of any kind of weapon, including aerial assets, and at ensuring urgent and unhindered humanitarian access in safe zones.

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