FILE – Islamic State fighters sit on a pickup truck while being held as prisoners by fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces near Ash Shaddadi, Hasakah province, Syria, Feb. 18, 2016. Also unresolved are how exactly breaches in the truce would be dealt with.
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His remarks raised the ire of the Syrian government, whose Foreign Ministry accused in a statement the US and its allies of being responsible for the continuation of the conflict in Syria, through supporting terrorists.
Russia said on Thursday the Syria ceasefire process was underway despite what it said were attempts by some USA officials to sabotage it, while reiterating that Russian warplanes would continue pounding what it called terrorist groups.
The upcoming ceasefire will not require the major powers to cease bombing campaigns and other military actions against terrorist groups like the Nusra Front and the Islamic State (ISIS).
The Kremlin spokesman for his part insisted it was “premature” to speak of any other plans.
“We are fully and completely focused on the task defined by the two presidents”, he said.
To the anger of Ankara, which regards the YPG as a branch of outlawed Turkish rebel group the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Washington has worked closely with what it regards as the most effective fighting force against IS in Syria.
Tehran also expressed faith that its ally would stand by the deal.
He said the opposition will not stop fighting if Assad does not leave office.
Washington called on the widest range of opposition groups to get behind the ceasefire.
“We are ready for it, we should not be impressed (intimidated), we should not be overly concerned”.
It has led to an increase in foreign aid, with United Nations convoys delivering assistance last week. The rebels said that Russian Federation had in fact increased the number of airstrikes since the plan was announced, Reuters reported.
The complexities of Syria’s battlefields – where moderate rebels often fight alongside jihadist groups like Al-Qaeda – have cast serious doubt on whether the ceasefire effort will succeed.
Syria’s main opposition grouping said Wednesday it would respect a provisional ceasefire in Syria “for two weeks”, ahead of the proposed start of the truce this weekend.
If successfully implemented, the ceasefire could see the end of Syria’s five-year civil war that has killed more than 260,000 people and forced millions to flee.
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Commenting on the upcoming parliamentary election in Syria, the professor assumed that if President Assad said there will be elections, there will be elections.
