Syrian opposition accepts truce with some conditions

Syria’s Foreign Ministry announced yesterday the Syrian government’s consent to observe a cessation of hostilities as agreed upon by the United States and Russian Federation.

Putin and Assad “stressed the importance of continuing an uncompromising fight” against jihadi groups and “other terrorist groups included in the relevant UN Security Council list”, the Kremlin continued.

U.S. President Barack Obama, in a telephone call with Putin on Monday, emphasized that the priority now was to ensure positive responses by the Syrian government and armed opposition as well as faithful implementation by all parties, the White House said.

Syria’s Foreign Ministry said it accepts the proposed truce but that its operations will continue against IS, al-Qaida’s branch in Syria and “other terrorist groups”.

“Literally on the day when Russian Federation and the United States approved the initiative on the cease-fire in Syria, voices could be heard from the capitals of the US allies and from Washington which questioned the viability of this agreement”, Lavrov said, according to the TASS news agency.

In a further reflection of the complicated terrain, Turkey’s president said Wednesday that a U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish militia group – which Turkey regards as a terror organization – should also be kept outside of the scope of the agreement.

The HNC said on Monday it “consented to” the worldwide efforts but that acceptance of a truce hinged on an end to blockades of rebel-held areas, free access for humanitarian aid, release of detainees, and a halt to air strikes on civilians.

The deal – which excludes the Islamic State (IS) group and other Sunni extremists – marks the biggest diplomatic push yet to help end Syria’s violence. “The U.S. has informed us and has received our opinion”.

The professor said that the Syrian war is a long way from over. Both Russia and Assad have labelled a broad swath of opponents of the Syrian government as terrorists.

Another resident, Ruwaida Ayoub, said the people still are hoping but “unfortunately, as much as they were deceiving us and lying to us in the past, we do not believe them”.

As objectionable as Russia’s involvement in Syria is, the only prospect for peace is through a negotiated cease-fire, humanitarian relief and a serious attempt at negotiating a political resolution, said Sen.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin said that the priority task is to implement the agreements on a ceasefire in Syria but not to prepare any backup plans.

The Syrian government said on Wednesday it was more “determined more than ever” to preserve Syria’s unity after US Secretary of State John Kerry said it would be hard to hold the country together if the fighting did not stop.

The US and Russian Federation made a joint statement on February 22, which says that the ceasefire will come into effect on February 27, at 00:00 Damascus time.

In northern Syria, the IS on Tuesday captured the town of Khanaser, cutting supply lines for government forces between the northern city of Aleppo and central and western Syria.

Syrian men pose for a picture as they gather in the Marjeh square in Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016.