Russian Roadmap to End Violence Escalation in Daraa, Restore Executive Power to Damascus

A Russian military vehicle in Daraa, southern Syria (Naba News Agency)
A Russian military vehicle in Daraa, southern Syria (Naba News Agency)
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Russian Roadmap to End Violence Escalation in Daraa, Restore Executive Power to Damascus

A Russian military vehicle in Daraa, southern Syria (Naba News Agency)
A Russian military vehicle in Daraa, southern Syria (Naba News Agency)

The Russian roadmap to end a military escalation in Syria’s southern governorate of Daraa included several items including restoring executive authorities in the provincial capital city, also named Daraa, and forming committees for disarming and withdrawing the weapons and ammunition of opposition fighters.

Daraa regional leaders are divided over the clauses put forth by the Russian proposal, local sources reported.

The plan to end violence in the southern region peacefully, which Asharq Al-Awsat obtained a paper copy of, included forming a joint center to monitor the situation in Daraa and implement the roadmap’s stipulation.

At the center, representatives from both the Russian and Syrian defense ministries and security and intelligence officers will work together to ensure that the implementation of the roadmap is on track. Moreover, the roadmap’s clauses involved reopening police stations in Daraa and organizing joint Russian-Syrian patrols around the city.

Militants who have no desire to leave Daraa will be asked to head to a settlement center to sort out their status. However, this stipulation does not cover ISIS and al-Nusra Front militants. Army draft deserters will also have their status settled to guarantee that authorities will not pursue them in the future.

The return of official authorities and local administrations to villages and towns that recently witnessed conflict is also one of the clauses mentioned in the Russian roadmap. According to the roadmap, authorities will search for fugitives wanted by the regime and who have not settled their personal status yet.

Searches will also be conducted for weapons and ammunition depots. Joint patrols mounted by Russian military police and intelligence officers will monitor neighborhoods to ensure that the terms of the agreement are not violated. As for government agencies, the roadmap requires they secure the conditions needed for declaring amnesty for ex-militants.

They must also work with local administration agencies to rehabilitate social buildings such as schools, mosques, and water and electricity stations.



UK PM Tells Netanyahu Peace Process ‘Should Lead’ to Palestinian State

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference on the Southport attacks in the Downing Street Briefing Room in London, Britain, 21 January 2025. (EPA)
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference on the Southport attacks in the Downing Street Briefing Room in London, Britain, 21 January 2025. (EPA)
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UK PM Tells Netanyahu Peace Process ‘Should Lead’ to Palestinian State

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference on the Southport attacks in the Downing Street Briefing Room in London, Britain, 21 January 2025. (EPA)
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference on the Southport attacks in the Downing Street Briefing Room in London, Britain, 21 January 2025. (EPA)

UK premier Keir Starmer told Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday that any peace process in the Middle East should pave the way for a Palestinian state, Downing Street said.

The two leaders held a call that focused on the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, a UK government spokesperson said.

During the conversation, "both agreed that we must work towards a permanent and peaceful solution that guarantees Israel's security and stability", the British readout of the call added.

"The prime minister added that the UK stands ready to do everything it can to support a political process, which should also lead to a viable and sovereign Palestinian state."

Starmer also "reiterated that it was vital to ensure humanitarian aid can now flow uninterrupted into Gaza, to support the Palestinians who desperately need it", the statement added.

Starmer "offered his personal thanks for the work done by the Israeli government to secure the release of the hostages, including British hostage Emily Damari", the statement added.

"To see the pictures of Emily finally back in her family's arms was a wonderful moment but a reminder of the human cost of the conflict," Starmer added, according to the statement.

A truce agreement between Israel and Hamas to end 15 months of war in Gaza came into effect on Sunday.

The first part of the three-phase deal should last six weeks and see 33 hostages returned from Gaza in exchange for around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.