The potential breakthrough deal, which launches a nationwide cessation of hostilities by sundown Monday, will hinge on compliance by Assad’s Russian-backed forces and USA -supported rebel groups, plus key regional powers such as Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia with hands directly or indirectly in Syria’s 5-1/2 years of carnage.
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Mr Kerry said: “Today, the United States and Russian Federation are announcing a plan which we hope will reduce violence, ease suffering and resume movement towards a negotiated peace and a political transition in Syria”.
Turkey and the European Union have welcomed a nationwide truce for Syria brokered by the USA and Russian Federation but have warned that further action is needed.
But Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has cautioned that Moscow can not “100 percent guarantee” that all parties will obey the new ceasefire.
In return, the United States is to persuade the opposition groups it has supported to separate themselves from Nusra forces. He added that the group enjoys fighting the “coalition of the Crusaders” saying they have a large number of suicide attackers for the mission.
The agreement, which is also meant to end hostilities and ensure aid deliveries, saw Washington yield to Russia’s calls for military coordination despite the two powers backing opposing sides in the war – a concession analysts say is a victory for Moscow.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier praised the deal as “a real chance” to bring aid to besieged people in Syria, but warned that without “rapid implementation” the agreement could fall apart.
Basma Kodmani, of the High Negotiations Committee, told the AP that Russian Federation should pressure Assad’s government to abide by the agreement reached early Saturday.
According to Kerry, one foundation of the agreement is Russian Federation agreeing that Assad’s air forces would no longer fly combat missions over civilian areas.
– The Syrian regime is to refrain from fighting in areas where “moderate” rebels are deployed, as opposed to areas with the presence of Fateh al-Sham Front, which changed its name from Al-Nusra Front after renouncing ties with Al-Qaeda.
“After a period of reduced violence, then we will see the United States and Russian Federation taking coordinated steps” to fight terrorists and restart a political process.
“All parties to the conflict must put their interests aside to implement it immediately and fully, with independent monitoring in place to ensure it’s being adhered to”.
“Children can not be plunged back into war, hunger and deprivation after a brief reprieve”.
Both President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Ash Carter have had tough words for Russian Federation in recent days, dimming the prospect of a deal on a ceasefire and closer military cooperation. That will allow us to start rebuilding the country’s devastated hospitals and schools. Opposition military forces in Syria and Iraq are well aware of the utility of “human shields” against air attack so that in an apartment block of six floors, the top two and lower two will be home to civilian families, but the middle two will provide living quarters for fighters.
“We are there. I don’t know where our friends are but I believe it is important for them to check with Washington”.
“Recent reports of a spate of child suicide attempts in Madaya only drives home the desperation and urgency of the situation”.
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The announcement follows talks in Geneva between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russia’s Sergei Lavrov.
