Earlier this week, the USA and Russian Federation agreed on a “cessation of hostilities” between the Syrian government and groups fighting it in a deal that excludes the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the al-Nusra Front.
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Mr. Putin and Mr. Assad “stressed the importance of continuing an uncompromising fight” against IS, Al-Nusra Front and “other terrorist groups”, the Kremlin said.
“We are all aware of the significant challenges ahead”, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement on Monday.
Kerry was speaking after the Assad government said it would work with Russian Federation to define which groups and areas would be included in the cessation of hostilities plan, which is due to begin on Saturday.
Putin also had telephone conversations with key players in the Syrian conflict, including the leaders of Iran and Saudi Arabia who support opposing sides of the conflict.
He, however, said that government acceptance includes details that should not be overlooked.
Daraya is the largest rebel bastion west of Damascus where fighting is still taking place, said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group.
That, explains CBS News correspondent Elizabeth Palmer, essentially gives the Syrian forces free reign to continue attacking anyone they want – including groups backed by the U.S. The agreement, announced Monday, does not apply to militants like the Islamic State group and Al-Nusra Front, putting up major hurdles to how it can be implemented on Syria’s complex battlefield.
Government troops backed by Russian warplanes waged fierce battles to regain control of a strategic road southeast of Aleppo from the Islamic State group.
United Nations-sponsored peace talks between the Syrian government and a delegation representing opposition groups – the High Negotiations Committee – broke down on February 3.
Turkey says the YPG is a branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which has waged a three-decade insurgency against the Turkish state, and has repeatedly shelled Kurdish militia positions inside Syria.
UNITED NATIONS, United States-UN Security Council diplomats are discussing a draft resolution that would endorse the deal on cessation of hostilities in Syria, diplomats said Wednesday.
The Kremlin spokesman for his part insisted it was “premature” to speak of any other plans.
He also said a ceasefire must guarantee that aid will reach Syrians in dire need.
(JNS.org) The United States and Russian Federation have announced that a planned cease-fire in Syria will come into effect by midnight on February 27, in the latest effort by world powers to end the bloody five-year-old Syrian civil war.
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The CIA and Pentagon have expressed doubts that Russian Federation will abide by the latest ceasefire agreement in Syria.
