ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The foreign ministers of the Astana Format guarantors and five regional states on Saturday stressed the need to halt the military escalations in Syria and launch a “comprehensive political process” to bring an end to the security crisis in Syria.

The foreign ministers of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Russia met in Doha to discuss the situation in Syria. The parties released a joint statement following the meeting.

“The continuation of the Syrian crisis constitutes a dangerous development for the safety of the country and regional and international security, which requires all parties to seek a political solution to the Syrian crisis that leads to end of military operations, and  protection of civilians from the repercussions of this crisis,” the parties emphasized, also agreeing on the importance of enhancing joint international efforts to increase humanitarian aid to the people of Syria.

“The Ministers stressed the need to stop military operations in preparation for launching a comprehensive political process, based on Security Council Resolution 2254,” the statement added.

The UN Security Council Resolution 2254 lays out a roadmap for Syria’s political transition in light of the 2011 civil war and calls for a ceasefire and political settlement in the country. The resolution was adopted in late 2015 but no real progress has been made to implement it nearly nine years later.

The ministers also agreed to continue consultation and coordination on this matter, aimed at finding “a peaceful solution” to the Syrian crisis, in a way that meets the aspirations of the people of the war-torn country.

Anti-government groups in Syria on Saturday dealt anothrt major blow to Bashar al-Assad’s regime after seizing control of the cities of Daraa, Suwayda, Qunaitra, and Homs within 24 hours. The armed factions continue their operations in Rif Dimashq, in hopes of reaching the capital Damascus and effectively bringing an end to Assad’s reign.

American broadcaster CBS News on Saturday cited three US officials that “Damascus is expected to fall,” adding that Iranian forces, who have been one of Assad’s main military backers throughout the civil war, have mostly evacuated from Syria.

Thousands of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) soldiers were deployed to Syria after 2011, and dozens of other Iran-backed armed groups remain active in the country.