Kazakhstan's MFA: Fate of Astana format for Syria talks uncertain

The Kazakhstan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is closely monitoring the situation in Syria but is hesitant to offer mediation in negotiations at this time, said Aybek Smadiyarov, a representative of the ministry, Report informs via Kazakhstani media.

"It is too early to talk about Syria negotiations in Astana; we are observing the situation," he stated.

The armed conflict in Syria has been ongoing since 2011, with the Astana format peace process launched in 2017. The most recent round of talks took place on December 7, 2024, in Doha, Qatar.

On November 27, Syrian opposition armed groups launched a large-scale offensive against government forces in the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib. By the evening of December 7, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's opponents had captured several major cities, including Aleppo, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, and Homs. On the morning of December 8, they entered Damascus, prompting Syrian army units to abandon the capital city. There are reports that President Bashar al-Assad has relinquished his post and fled the country.