A Syrian opposition leader: Weak chances for the implementation of the safe zone
Washington DC – North-Press Agency
Marah Al-Buqai, a Syrian opposition leader sees the series of diplomatic and security meetings launched by Washington to discuss the future of the political process in Syria, as an urgent need related to the US strategy regarding Iran, tensions and escalations in Idlib, and the status of the US-Turkish relationship that affects the understandings in Syria.
Al-Buqai says that the first summit in Jerusalem, where President Trump’s national security adviser John Bolton is taking part, is focused on the Iranian issue and the attack which was delayed in the last 10 minutes, as Washington wants to discuss with Israel the consequences of any actions against Iran, including the Iranian presence in Syria .
“In Brussels and Paris, Washington is intervening to reduce the tensions in Idlib, which comes out of the hands of the guarantors of the de-escalation zones, in light of the humanitarian crisis that deepens the tragedies in Idlib, the opposition armed groups’ disagreement on the way of the confrontation, and Turkey’s closed borders for IDPs” Al-Buqai added.
As regarding the future of northeastern Syria, the Washington based politician says that the region is moving towards a comprehensive Kurdish-Kurdish reconciliation, through American roles,
by finding a political formula that unites the peoples of the region.
As the US-Turkish dispute’s effect on Syria, is not likely to compromise, as Turkey is a member of NATO, and proposes to integrate the Russian S-400 into its military fleet, this means the presence of Russian experts and equipment in an allied NATO country, Which raises fears and concern of Washington from spying on the US military codes.
On the other hand, Al-Buqai believes that Turkey still needs Washington to solve its security concerns and protect its interests in Syria, despite Russia’s military base in Syria’s northwestern Hmeimim, and Russia’s broad role in Syria, Russia is unable to meet Turkey’s interests or solve its security concerns, even the Turkish-Russian consensus on Idlib file is doomed to failure.
In regard to the possibilities of reaching any results on the establishment of a safe zone in northern Syria, Al-Buqai says that “The gap between the views of different actors to the safe zone is great, as today the Turks, Syrian opposition, Iranians and Kurds define it in different forms, and it’s well known that these discrepancies have existed since the beginning of the uprising in Syria.
There is no formula of understanding concerning the safe zone that guarantees the security of the neighboring countries and, at the same time, preserves the safety of the Syrians and the sovereignty and independence of their country, therefore, the implementation of the safe zone is yet far to be achieved”.