Syria peace talks begin in Astana

The first talks in a year between the two warring sides in the Syria conflict begin in the Kazakh capital of Astana on January 23.

Russia, Turkey and Iran are sponsoring the two day meeting.

Representatives of President Bashar al-Assad and armed rebel groups fighting against him are scheduled to take part in talks, in a bid to reinforce the ceasefire and pave the way for a peace process aimed at putting an end to the six-year-long war which has claimed more than 300,000 lives, Sputnik reported.

"Today we will discuss only the strengthening of the ceasefire and the implementation of the 12, 13 and 14 articles of the UN Resolution 2254. The political aspect of the Syrian crisis will not be discussed today,"  opposition delegation member Sayeed Nakrash told Sputnik on Monday.