Russia Turkey and Iran have failed to reach a deal on setting up four de-escalation zones in Syria during talks in Kazakhstan.<br /><br />The failure is a set back for Moscow, the main architect of the plan as it seeks to take the lead in efforts to end the Syrian civil war.<br /><br />The Syrian government’s chief negotiator Bashar Ja’afari blamed Turkey for the lack of progress.<br /><br /> “Contrary to the positive start point taken by all the parties except by the Turkish delegation. There has been an indication that the Turkish policy towards Astana process has been a negative policy.”<br /><br />“The Turkish delegation objected to the adoption of any documents related to the implementation of mechanisms of the agreement on the de-escalation zones,” he added.<br /><br />Meanwhile on the ground in Syria the battle to recapture the city of Raqqa from self-styled Islamic State is continuing.<br /><br />Fighting has been brutal for civilians, the UN says at least 173 were killed in June.<br /><br />About 2,500 militants are still said to be in Raqqa which was declared by Islamic State to be their capital in 2014.<br /><br />Video taken by Syrian forces is said to show locals trying to escape the fighting. At least 100,000 are said to be still trapped in the city.<br />
