Syrian rebels call for Astana talks to be delayed

Syrian rebels groups on Saturday called for the upcoming Russian-backed peace talks in the Kazakh capital to be postponed, saying their participation would depend on the implementation of a newly agreed ceasefire.

In a statement, the rebels said they had received an invitation to a third round of talks due to take place in Astana on March 14-15, but called for talks to be delayed until after the end of the ceasefire.

Russia’s ministry of defence had announced a ceasefire from March 7 to 20 that applies specifically to the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta region near Damascus – however rebels have reported continuous attacks by the Syrian regime and it’s allies on the area.

The rebels called for “the complete implementation of the ceasefire” in rebel-held territories before engaging in any new round of peace talks.

“Rebel factions have chosen the date of March 20 to resume talks, because it is the date on which the de-escalation announced by Moscow expires,” said the rebel statement.

The statement added that rebel participation in Astana talks would depend on whether the government and its allies adhere ceasefire.

The Syrian conflict began when the Baath regime, in power since 1963 and led by President Bashar al-Assad, responded with military force to peaceful protests demanding democratic reforms during the Arab Spring wave of uprisings, triggering an armed rebellion fueled by mass defections from the Syrian army.

According to independent monitors, hundreds of thousands of civilians have been killed in the war, mostly by the regime and its powerful allies, and millions have been displaced both inside and outside of Syria.

The brutal tactics pursued mainly by the regime, which have included the use of chemical weapons, sieges, mass executions and torture against civilians have led to war crimes investigations.