The Astana process to resolve the situation in Syria is under attack from a number of world players because of its effectiveness. This opinion was expressed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a meeting with the negotiating group of the Astana Troika (Iran, Russia, Turkey) in Moscow.

“All objective observers recognize that the Astana format is the most effective structure for advancing on all tracks to overcome the Syrian crisis. Apparently, therefore, he is the object of attacks from those who think not about the interests of the Syrian people, but about their geopolitical plans in this region, ”Lavrov stated.

Addressing the Iranian and Turkish delegations that are in Moscow on a working visit, the head of the foreign ministry called diplomats the driving force of the Astana format, which fulfills the agreements reached at the summits.

The minister noted that at present the Russian side is preparing for holding the fourth summit at the highest level (the previous three were held in Sochi, Istanbul and Tehran).

“We hope that everything will be done to ensure that the new meeting of the leaders marks a further movement forward in the Syrian settlement,” Lavrov said.

He also indicated the intention in the near future to agree on additional steps to promote the goals set by the leaders of Russia, Turkey and Iran, as well as expressly formulated in the interests of the full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 2254.

In turn, Senior Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran on special political issues Hussein Jaberi Ansari said that Tehran cannot be left behind the Syrian settlement, no matter how much some countries would like.

“Iran is taking meaningful steps in this sense, and they are based on the reality that exists in the region. Turkey, by the way, understands this, like other countries. But there are some states that have an illogical position on this issue, ”RIA Novosti quotes a diplomat.

Commenting on the summit scheduled for October 27 with the participation of Turkey, Russia, France and Germany in Istanbul, he called the “failed” approach of those countries that believe that the crisis in the region can be resolved without Iran.

“Iran in the war of the people and government of Syria against terrorism in recent years has seriously supported Syria. Iran is trying to implement the idea of ​​peace in the Astana format and other contacts. There are other meetings that take place in many countries, this is natural. And they cannot change this geopolitical reality, ”added Jaberi Ansari.

Recall that during the Istanbul Summit on Saturday, Vladimir Putin, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron will discuss the promotion of a political settlement in Syria, as well as the creation of conditions for the return of refugees to the Arab Republic.

We add that on Wednesday, October 24, in Damascus, a meeting took place between the head of the Syrian Foreign Ministry, Walid Muallem, and the UN special envoy, Staffan de Mistura. They discussed the conflict resolution process, including the creation of a constitutional commission.

"Muallem said that Syria continues to make efforts to make a decision on a political settlement of the crisis ... He noted that the constitutional commission should be formed in accordance with international law and UN resolutions," the Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

  • Meeting of Sergey Lavrov with representatives of the “Astana Troika” in Moscow
  • © Edward Pesov / RIA News

“With our help we managed to turn the tide”

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the actions of Western countries had contributed to the shattering of the situation in the Middle East and the creation of a stronghold of terrorism in Syria. This opinion was expressed by the head of the Ministry of Defense at a meeting of the joint board of military departments of Russia and Belarus in Minsk.

“We believe that with the assistance of the West, the situation in the Middle East region was shaken, which allowed the creation of a real bulwark of terrorism in Syria,” said Shoigu.

“With our help, we managed to reverse the situation in this country, crush major terrorist groups, release key settlements and release vital communications,” he noted.

The minister added that in the course of the conflict, invaluable experience had been acquired, which Moscow is ready to share. According to Shoigu, today Russia is making maximum efforts to establish a peaceful life in Syria, creates conditions for a political settlement of the crisis and provides humanitarian assistance to the population.

The head of the Defense Ministry noted that the Russian side welcomes any form of participation by its partners and allies in efforts to improve the situation in the SAR and seeks to mutually beneficial cooperation with the West across the entire spectrum of security issues.

In turn, the Minister of National Defense of Turkey Hulusi Akar said that thanks to cooperation with Moscow in Syria, the number of ceasefire violations was reduced by 90%. In an interview with Anadolu, Acar added that most of the heavy weapons had been withdrawn from the Idlib demilitarized zone, and he expects to personally discuss pressing issues of the Syrian settlement with his Russian counterpart on October 27 during Shoigu’s visit to Turkey.

“Most of the heavy weapons and militants of radical groups have been withdrawn from the demilitarized zone in Idlib. On Saturday, October 27, we will have the opportunity to discuss these issues in detail with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. We expect that thanks to this our work will be even more successful, ”he said.

According to the Russian Center for Reception, Distribution and Accommodation of Refugees, in the past 24 hours only 357 civilians, including 127 women and 133 children, have left the Ilib de-escalation zone. In addition, 17 vehicles were withdrawn from this area. In total, since March 4, 2018, more than 34 thousand people and 4,259 units of equipment left the de-escalation zone.

Against this background, the Syrian agency SANA, citing local sources, reported that an international coalition led by the United States launched a new air strike in the province of Deir ez-Zor, which killed local residents.

It is noted that as a result of the attack, one of the houses in the village of Al-Sousse was destroyed, the number of victims of the airstrike is being verified. For the past two weeks, Kurdish formations, with the support of coalition aviation, have been fighting fiercely against Islamic State militants * in the area on the left bank of the Euphrates.

Last week, Syrian media reported that 62 civilians became victims of airstrikes of the international coalition in Al-Sousse and Al-Bubadran in the east of Deir ez-Zor, and dozens more were injured. The Pentagon told RT that they were investigating this data.

* “Islamic State” (IG) - the organization is recognized as terrorist by the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation dated December 29, 2014.