Syrian Minister of Interior Declares 'Robust Security Barrier' Surrounding Damascus

Damascus, Dec 8 (NationPress) The Interior Minister of Syria has proclaimed that a robust security barrier envelops the outskirts of Damascus, asserting that it is impenetrable. This statement counters recent assertions regarding shifting front lines within the ongoing conflict in the nation.

In another statement, Jassem al-Mahmoud, the deputy governor of Rural Damascus province, communicated to Sham FM radio on Saturday that claims regarding army withdrawals from various towns and villages close to the capital are unfounded. Instead, he indicated that military forces are redeploying and regrouping in the areas, rather than executing a complete withdrawal, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

Simultaneously, the Syrian Presidency refuted what it termed as “fabrications” propagated by foreign media, which had circulated speculation that President Bashar Assad had vacated Damascus or embarked on unexpected foreign trips.

The Presidency emphasized that Assad continues to fulfill his constitutional responsibilities within the capital and that any official updates concerning the president's engagements will be disseminated exclusively through state-run media and the official channels of the Presidential Office.

On the same day, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi announced in Doha that Tehran, Moscow, and Ankara have reached a consensus on initiating political discussions between the Syrian government and opposition factions, as reported by the official news agency IRNA.

Araghchi elaborated on the outcomes of his joint meeting on Syria alongside his Russian and Turkish counterparts earlier in the day, held under the Astana format in the Qatari capital during the 22nd Doha Forum, scheduled for December 7-8.

Labeling the situation in Syria as “very important,” Araghchi stated, “all participants concurred that hostilities in Syria must cease immediately, and the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Syria should be upheld.”

The call for political negotiations between the Syrian government and opposition factions was highlighted during the meeting, with Iran and Russia expected to consult with the Syrian government on this matter.

As noted by IRNA, Araghchi reaffirmed Iran's support for both the Syrian populace and government on Saturday.

In parallel, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir O. Pedersen, urged for tranquility and a structured political transition in Syria during a press conference held at the Doha Forum.

Pedersen remarked that the situation in Syria “is evolving minute by minute,” advocating for the cessation of violence and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

He mentioned that he had met with the foreign ministers of Iran, Russia, and Turkey earlier in the day and also conferred with representatives from the US, France, Britain, and Germany, with all parties expressing agreement on the matter.

The Astana process, initiated in 2017 with Turkey, Russia, and Iran as guarantors, aims to bring resolution to the Syrian civil war, which began in early 2011.

The conflict between government forces and rebel groups, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has intensified significantly since November 27.