Russia, Iran, Turkey Set Astana Talks To Discuss Syria Cease-Fire

The first round of talks in Astana last month failed to make progress toward a political settlement of the Syria conflict (file photo).

Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry says the co-sponsors of the Syrian peace talks will meet in Astana on February 6 to monitor implementation of the cease-fire in the war-torn Middle Eastern country.

The ministry announced on February 2 that Russia, Iran, and Turkey will meet for a second round of talks in the Kazakh capital.

The first round on January 23-24 failed to make progress toward a political settlement of the nearly 6-year-old civil war, but the sides did agree to create a mechanism called the Joint Operational Group (JOG), to monitor the fragile cease-fire in Syria.

The JOG includes experts from the three co-sponsoring countries.

Moscow and Tehran back Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government in the civil war, while Ankara supports the opposition.

An estimated 300,000 Syrians have been killed and millions have been displaced since the conflict erupted 2011.

Based on reporting by Reuters, TASS, and yenisafak.com