Jordan, Russia and US discuss efforts to create southern Syria safe zone

Officials from Jordan, the US and Russia have recently discussed the establishment of a safe zone in southern Syria, sources familiar with the matter have told Al Arabiya.

Earlier this month, Iran and Turkey agreed to a Russian proposal for “de-escalation zones” in Syria, in which all sides would agree not to attack.

The Kremlin has been touting a plan to create safe zones in Syria that is aimed to "further pacification and cessation of hostilities."

After talks with Turkey counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier this month that the safe zones were meant to lead to "further pacification and cessation of hostilities."

He also said the proposed zones would also be no-fly areas if fighting on the ground there stopped entirely.

The Kremlin's plan echoes calls by US leader Donald Trump to establish safe zones in Syria.

Damascus supports the Russian plan, Syrian state news agency SANA reported.

More than 320,000 people have been killed in Syria since the country's war began with anti-government protests in March 2011.

(With AFP)