Washington optimistic about Russian indicators of “resilience” in Syria



[ad_1]

United States Special Envoy to Syria James Jeffrey expressed optimism that cooperation with Russia could end the Syrian crisis, hinting that Moscow could move away from the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, considering that criticism of the cousin of al-Assad, Rami Makhlouf, indicate disintegration.

Jeffrey said at a press conference: “Russia can be more prepared now. We saw some indications in the Russian media and in certain Russian actions, to be more flexible regarding the Constitutional Committee. ”

He added: “They may be ready again to discuss with us a way to resolve without a military victory, because for Russia it is very clear at this stage that they will not achieve a military victory, certainly not in the short term.”

He noted the video footage posted by Rami Makhlouf on “Facebook”, most recently accused “security services” of arresting his company’s employees and pressuring him to leave them, two days after his call on Assad to intervene. to save his communications company, “Syriatel”.

Jeffrey said Makhlouf’s position reveals “dirty laundry in one of the worst regimes of the 21st century.” He added: “We hope this is an indication of further imbalance and disintegration in this evil system.”

And the British website “Middle East Eye” quoted an informed source as saying the issue is more complicated than just an episode of “internal conflict in circles close to Assad”, believing that Makhlouf may be part of a conspiracy in which It was used either by one of Damascus’ allies to increase pressure. The government has to accept a political agreement to end the war in the country, or on the part of Damascus to face this pressure.

In 2019 Jeffrey participated in conversations between the US Secretary of State. USA Mike Pompeo and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Russian Sochi complex. United Nations efforts have yet to succeed in making progress and forming a committee to review the Syrian constitution.

Russia supports Iran, along with Iran, Assad, while Moscow deployed forces in Syria in 2015 to support its campaign to eliminate opposition factions on the one hand, and the Islamic State (ISIS) on the other.

But the work of the Syrian Constitution Review Committee, a UN-backed process, has made little progress in ending the conflict, which has killed more than 380,000 people since 2011.

Syrian regime forces launched a bloody attack to recapture Idlib, the last stronghold of opposition factions, until a ceasefire agreement sponsored by Russia and Turkey was reached.



[ad_2]