Syrian rebel groups have decided to attend peace talks backed by Russia and Turkey in Kazakhstan in a bid to check Iranian influence over the war.
Mohammad Alloush, Head of the Political office of Jaish al-Islam rebel group, said the rebel officials took the decision at a meeting in Ankara.
He said they are now working to form a delegation that would be headed by him, to attend the meeting.
Alloush said the rebels were going to Astana to “neutralise the criminal role” of Iran.
Analysts believe the rebels have been under pressure from Turkey, one of their main sponsors, to attend, describing the move as a boost for a Russian-led initiative aimed at ending the nearly six-year-old conflict.
They said Assad has also indicated his government interest to attend the talks.
They also noted that the Turkey’s priorities in Syria appeared to have shifted away from toppling Assad towards combating Kurdish groups and Islamic State in areas of northern Syria near its border.
Analysts observed also that Assad ties with Russia have also improved in recent months.
They said Russia, President Bashar al-Assad’s most powerful ally, set the new diplomatic effort in motion after Syrian rebels suffered a major defeat last month by losing the rebel-held districts of eastern Aleppo.
The U.S., which led failed efforts to launch peace talks last year, has not been involved in the latest diplomacy.
(Source: Reuters/NAN)