Russia’s new bid for peace in Syria

Fresh peace talkss could start in Syria a within a month.

Russia yesterday proposed negotiationss begin on July 4.

The move came after thee Syrian military ceasedd combat operations in thee southern city of Daraa for 48 hours in support of national reconciliation.

The talks, to be held in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana, are expected to finalise details of four socalled safe zones that were agreed in May.

Russia also expects progress on Syria at a July 7 G20 summit in Germany.

Russia, Turkey and Iran, who back opposing sides in the brutal civil war, have brokered several rounds of peace talks in Astana this year between Bashar Assad’s government and rebel forces.

The Russian- backed Assad regime, US-backed rebel fighters and Islamic State are fighting in Syria.

The UN special envoy for Syria earlier said he plans a new round of peace talks in Switzerland next month.

Staffan de Mistura’s office said he wants discussions to start on July 10. He wants further talks in August and September.

The UN-hosted Geneva talks between parties to the conflict in Syria are the main political forum for efforts to end the six-year conflict.

Meanwhi le, the Iraqi military – backed by tribal fighters, border police and US-led coalition aircraft – have captured the al-Waleed border crossing with Syria. It fell to Islamic State in 2015.