Iran on Thursday slammed Turkish remarks on Syria ceasefire as “unconstructive”, urging Ankara to take measures in order to deal with violations by the foreign-backed armed opposition.

“The current ceasefire in Syria has been violated repeatedly by the anti-government armed opposition groups,” foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said.

“(Turkey) should take necessary measures to deal with several instances of ceasefire violation by these groups and at the same time refrain from taking unreal stances and accusing other parties.”

He was responding to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who on Wednesday accused Syrian government of violating a ceasefire Ankara brokered with Moscow last week.

Cavusoglu warned that the “violations” were jeopardizing planned peace talks in Kazakhstan later this month.

Qasemi criticized the “unconstructive remarks” and said they could “further complicate the current situation” in Syria.

Despite backing opposite sides in the conflict, Ankara and Moscow have worked closely to broker the ceasefire and plan the Astana talks, which Cavusoglu said could take place on January 23.

Iran is also involved in organizing the talks, and top official Alaeddin Boroujerdi was in Damascus on Wednesday for talks with President Bashar Assad.

Source: AFP