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Talks between Russia, Syrian opposition stalled

July 3, 2018 at 12:41 am

Smoke rises after the Assad regime carried out airstrikes over residential areas in Daraa, Syria on 14 June 2017 [Muhammed Yusuf/Anadolu Agency]

Opposition groups and activists on social media said that a faction of the Free Syrian Army has withdrawn from negotiations with the Russia over the Syrian regime’s campaign against Daraa and the Syrian south.

The opposition groups have circulated a statement calling for a public outcry against the Russian-backed regime.

Meanwhile, Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi said that he would discuss with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov a ceasefire in southwestern Syria and easing the humanitarian crisis there.

Pro-Syrian regime media outlets and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Sunday that a city controlled by the armed opposition in southwestern Syria has agreed to return to Assad’s rule, although some local activists and opposition fighters have questioned the deal.

The loss of Bosra al-Sham, a major city close to the capital of Daraa province would be a major setback for the opposition in the face of the Russian-backed Syrian army offensive in the southwest.

Read: 45,000 Syrians flee their homes after Assad strikes Daraa