Damascus/Cairo — the Russian military police for several days has established checkpoints and observation posts in the region of Eastern Guta. This region near the Syrian capital of Damascus is the second after the Daraa area of de-escalation (four of them), about the install procedure, which Moscow and the rebels have agreed on. Russia is the driving force in setting up these zones, which originally back in may agreed with Turkey and Iran.
These days Moscow is trying to break through the front in Idlib province. The latest heavy fighting between rebel groups has raged here. Earlier the General staff General Sergey rudskoy commented on the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
Difficult situation in the province of HOMS, which should be the next area of de-escalation. It covers a huge and strategically important region, which is the Central linking element in the heart of the country. Many international players there pursue their own interests. In addition, the region has a large number of Iranian military. This province for them — an important connecting point between the Iranian sphere of influence in Iraq and Lebanon.
According to the statements of General Rudskoy, last month 508 Syrian cities joined the agreement on a truce. There are already 2 043 cities. In addition, 228 of the armed groups agreed to observe the silence mode. In many cases, this was preceded by a military defeat of the opposition. Due to this, the regime of Bashar al-Assad was able to expand so-called liberated zone.
Moscow is very active not only at the negotiating table: in military terms, it creates the conditions involving the long-term presence in the region. At the moment everything points to expansion, and not of curtailing military forces, as originally announced in Moscow earlier this year.
Moscow thinks about the future
Russia will build up its forces at military bases in Tartus and Latakia air base Hamim. Recently signed the state Treaty between the two presidents (of Russia and Syria — approx. ed.), under which Russia can use the military air base of Hamim in the next 49 years. Military experts analyzing Russia supplied the weapons, I think it appropriate not so much local as regional requirements of defence. They also believe that the Syrian campaign is a springboard to strengthen the role of Russia in the region.
In the accelerated area organisation de-escalation of the Syrian opposition sees the future political solution that will be proposed by Russia. At the peace talks in Genoa, held under the mediation of the United Nations, Moscow, depending on the situation in Syria looking for a local partner who could guarantee a truce. Jordan came to help in the area of de-escalation in Daraa, while Egypt sponsored a truce in the Eastern ghouta.
There is also the possibility that the Egyptian military in the future will be to monitor the situation in Syria. It will strengthen the Arab role in resolving the conflict. The current government in Cairo had never before questioned the legitimacy of Bashar al-Assad and maintained close contact with the part of the Syrian opposition, which does not involve immediate departure of Assad as President.
