But they came as a new ceasefire, agreed as part of a landmark deal brokered by Russian Federation and the United States, was set to begin on Monday, the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, allowing much needed aid to reach the beleaguered civilian population.
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Syria’s state news agency says the government accepts an agreement by the USA and Russian Federation calling for a nationwide cease-fire in the country starting Monday.
The Saturday report says that hostilities will stop in the northern city of Aleppo, the country’s largest, for “humanitarian reasons”, AP reported.
The opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) was more circumspect, saying it had yet to receive the deal’s “official” text.
Basma Kodmani, of the High Negotiations Committee, told The Associated Press that Russian Federation should pressure Assad to abide by the deal, adding that enforcement mechanisms will be needed, including the “cessation of hostilities and the grounding [of] regime air forces”.
If the just-announced plans hold, Kerry said, it could lead to political transition and reverse the current trend of “simply creating more terrorists, more extremists and destroying the country in the process”.
“We welcome the deal if it is going to be enforced”, said Ms Bassma Kodmani.
Under the agreement, Russian-backed government forces and opposition groups, supported by the United States and Gulf States, would halt fighting for a while as a confidence building measure.
Cooperation with Fateh al-Sham, formerly al-Qaeda’s Nusra Front, could bring “dire consequences” for Syria’s mainstream rebel groups, Washington’s envoy to Syria has warned.
The HNC’s Kodmani said the opposition would “do our part” to see that rebel groups break ranks with the jihadists if the truce held.
Also Monday, the United States and Russian Federation will begin preparations for the creation of a Joint Implementation Center that will involve information sharing needed to define areas controlled by the radical Nusra Front and opposition groups in areas “of active hostilities”.
There are parts of the agreement that have not been made public, both Mr. Kerry and Mr. Lavrov said, including five documents that go into specifics of its implementation.
Turkey and Russian Federation have been on opposing sides of the conflict, with Ankara backing the opposition seeking to oust President Bashar al-Assad and Moscow his key global supporter.
The ministry said it was pleased with the deal to reach a ceasefire in Syria.
Despite the apparent breakthrough, the killing continued, with deadly bombing raids on the rebel stronghold of Idlib province.
He said Iran, a principle backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has always called for a political solution to the crisis.
Others tried to lift a bloodied shopper who had collapsed on the ground as a fire raged in an open-air clothes market.
But some officials both here and in the USA expressed doubts whether Russian president Vladimir Putin would keep to his side of the bargain.
British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson said it was “vital that the regime in Damascus now delivers on its obligations”.
Key rebel backer Turkey also backed the deal, adding that it was essential that the fighting stop and aid start flowing from day one of the ceasefire. Kerry said it would be “wise” for opposition forces to separate completely from Nusra, a statement Lavrov hailed.
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Fighting has recently escalated between Syria’s army and rebels in eastern Aleppo, where 250,000 people live.
