Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Russia Admits Syrian Regime Ceasefire Violations | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page
Media ID: 55365011
Caption:

People inspect a hole in the ground filled with water in a damaged site after airstrikes on the rebel held Tariq al-Bab neighbourhood of Aleppo, Syria September 23, 2016. REUTERS/Abdalrhman Ismail


Moscow, London – A slight change was noticed in the Russian stance towards violations of ceasefire in Syria, while Iran escalated its speech considering these stances as nonconstructive and demanded Russia to abide by its commitments according to Moscow Declaration.

The Russian center for reconciliation of warring sides in Syria said in its daily news bulletin on Wednesday that 12 breaches of the ceasefire were monitored in the countryside of Damascus, Hama and Lattakia.

“The commission’s Turkish officials registered 27 violations in Idlib region, Damascus (countryside), Hama, Aleppo, Homs, Daraa, and Quneitra,” the center said in its bulletin. “The established facts of ceasefire violations are being investigated and steps are taken to prevent such cases in the future,” the bulletin added.

Meanwhile, some activists revealed that the Syrian regime is endeavoring to lay hands over regions and suburbs, south Damascus, through the so-called “reconciliation agreement”.

According to a copy of the agreement, the Syrian regime is calling opposition fighters to surrender, let go their arms, “settle their situation” and then form forces to be supervised by the national defense.

These forces, as claimed by the agreement, will join battles against ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra.

In Iran, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghasemi has hit back at “nonconstructive” Turkish allegations, accusing opposition of breaking the truce. “The current ceasefire in Syria has been violated repeatedly by the Syrian opposition groups,” he said.

According to Ghasemi, Turkey should take necessary procedures and counter violations made by Syrian opposition in order to reach a permanent cease of fire and to contribute in paving the way towards negotiations to end the Syrian crisis.