US: several questions about Syria’s ‘safe zones’

American Defence Secretary Jim Mattis announced yesterday that the United States had reviewed the Russian, Turkish and Iranian deal on Syria which includes the creation of “safe zones”, but said is poses many unanswered questions, including whether it is effective or not, the Anadolu Agency reported.

Speaking to reporters traveling with him to Copenhagen, Mattis said: “All wars are going to end and we have been working for a long time to end this war [in Syria].”

However, he said that it is still unclear how this ceasefire deal would affect the US war against Daesh.

Mattis is in Copenhagen to attend a conference how to fight Daesh.

Read: Syria fighting eases as Russia-backed de-escalation deal takes effect

“It is all in process right now,” he said, but asked: “Who is going to be ensuring they are safe? Who is signing up for it? Who is specifically to be kept out of them? All these details are to be worked out and we are engaged.”

On Friday, Russia, Turkey and Iran announced that they reached a deal to deescalate tension in four Syrian areas and deploy joint forces to maintain the ceasefire.

The areas included the governorate of Aleppo, Idlib, Hama and parts of Latakia.