United Nations diplomats are considering a Security Council resolution endorsing a U.S. and Russian backed cease-fire in Syria, which U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says is “the one way that we can end this war”.
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He also doesn’t believe the deal can help to bring peace to Syria.
The intensity of Russian airstrikes in Syria has “significantly” decreased over the past two days, Defense Ministry spokesperson Major General Igor Konashenkov told a media briefing on Wednesday.
According to Turkey and other members of the anti-Daesh coalition, both Moscow and Damascus have been attacking moderate opposition under the guise of fighting terrorists such as Daesh and the al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called the ceasefire agreement “a real step” toward ending five years of bloodshed in Syria.
Russian warplanes, which have been carrying out a bombing campaign in Syria since late September, are continuing to target jihadists from the Islamic State and other “terrorist” groups, Moscow said.
“We are preparing for – and moreover – have begun concrete and hard practical work towards reconciliation in the Syrian Arab Republic”, it said. We expect that our American colleagues start taking specific steps instead of talking as soon as possible. Konashenkov urged interaction human rights organizations, to access the actions of the Turkish military.
A coordination center to reconcile the warring parties in Syria started its work at the Khmeimin airbase near Latakia, on Tuesday. He added that over two dozen messages have been received over the past two days.
USA and Russian officials are holding further discussions Thursday on implementing the cease-fire, and Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov reiterated that Russia is not discussing any alternatives to the plan.
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Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Syrian Kurdish militia forces it considers terrorists should also be kept out of the scope of the cease-fire, just like Islamic State and al-Nusra Front.
