By Selen Temizer, Muhammed Shekh Yusuf and Adham Kako
ASTANA, Kazakhstan (AA) – The Syrian opposition wants Iran's Revolutionary Guards and Shia militias to leave the country, an armed opposition leader said Monday.
Fatih Hassun told Anadolu Agency: “We want Iran's Revolutionary Guards and Shia militias to get out of the country. Also, we want separatist Kurdish groups to stand trial for their crimes. We will bring this to the attention of the UN. ”
Hassun's remarks came in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana during the first day of the seventh round of peace talks aimed at ending the Syria conflict.
He said representatives of the opposition delegation attending the talks will present to the UN some documents that will help remove foreign terrorists supported by Iran, and hold terrorist organization PKK/PYD responsible for human rights violations.
The talks, which will focus on strengthening the cease-fire that came into effect on Dec. 30, are brokered by Turkey, which backs the opposition, and Russia and Iran, who support Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Representatives of the Syrian regime, armed opposition groups, as well as delegations from the UN, Jordan, and the U.S. are attending the talks.
The two-day meeting will also address the release of captives and hostages, and humanitarian action on mines.
Hassun said: “After the release of hostages, we want the end of siege and access to humanitarian aid. ”
He added the parties had “different ” agendas during the talks, saying: “Russia's [agenda] is to gain benefits in favor of the regime. Iran's is to axe the Astana meeting. ”
Hassun said they will also present a document to the UN about cease-fire violations.
Syria has been locked in a vicious civil war since 2011, when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity. Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed in the conflict, according to the UN.
