Syrian cease-fire: Another try at pragmatism in three besieged towns

In a video interview posted on social media Friday, al-Muhaysini, who is linked to al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, the Nusra Front, which is a member of the Army of Conquest, said the group’s fighters and other rebels would be allowed to leave Zabadani with their weapons.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces has been preparing for a possible ground operation on the Syrian side of the Golan in the event of sustained rocket strikes or coordinated terror attacks against Israel either by Sunni jihadists or Hezbollah. Moscow is now supporting the Tehran-backed Houthi rebels who are fighting forces loyal to the U.S.-supported exiled president, a senior Hezbollah official told global Business Times.

Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin called for a broad worldwide coalition to fight the Islamic State that will include Assad as well as Iran, and suggested the United States should set aside its objections to Assad remaining in power.

Iran has been the rebels’ main supporter for several months, but Tehran’s Lebanese ally Hezbollah and Russian Federation are increasing support for the Houthis – forming an alliance very similar to the one largely responsible for keeping Assad in power.

According to “sputniknews” Russian news agency It was confirmed on Friday that rebel fighters and government forces in Syria have agreed on a 6-month truce for the town of Zabadani and two Shiite villages, Fuaa and Kafraya.

“I made it clear in no uncertain terms that we will not tolerate Iranian attempts to arm and organize activities against us on the Syrian border, and we will continue to take all steps against this threat to our security”.

“Russia’s definition of what is an Islamist and what is a jihadi is quite extensive”, said Emile Hokayem of the worldwide Institute of Strategic Studies.

Syria has been in the state of civil war since the 2011.

The conflict in Syria is in its fifth year.

Civilians living in Zabadani and nearby areas will also be able to go to Idlib safely if they choose not to stay.

“This extends Assad’s lifetime indefinitely”, he said.

Solving the refugee crisis, he said, can be through either accommodating them or through accepting a political solution and stopping the war on Syria, “which is the real cure”.

He pointed out that the agreement includes a commitment that a route for food and medical supplies is never blocked, noting that the implementation will be guaranteed by the UN.