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Syria ceasefire, backed by Russia and Turkey, holds after initial clashes

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Syria ceasefire, backed by Russia and Turkey, holds after initial clashes

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A nationwide ceasefire in Syria, brokered by Russia and Turkey, held on Friday after a shaky start overnight. The deal marks the latest attempt to end nearly six years of war.

  Russian President Vladimir Putin, a key ally of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, announced the truce on Thursday after reaching agreement with Turkey, which backs the opposition.   Clashes broke out soon after the ceasefire began at midnight between insurgents and government forces near Idlib and Hama. Sporadic gunfire followed further south, but calm returned hours later, monitors and rebels said.   Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the U.S. could join peace talks after Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20. He also called for Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Jordan and the United Nations to join.   Russia’s Defense Ministry said several rebel groups signed the deal. Free Syrian Army (FSA) officials confirmed and pledged to respect it. FSA commander Colonel Fares al-Bayoush voiced optimism, saying: “This time I have confidence in its seriousness. There is new international input.”   Syria’s war, which began in 2011 after a peaceful uprising turned violent, has killed more than 300,000 and displaced 11 million people. The ceasefire, reached in the last days of Barack Obama’s presidency, was the first major Middle East peace effort in decades not led by the U.S.   Previous ceasefires in February and September, brokered by Washington and Moscow, collapsed within weeks amid violations and renewed fighting.   Putin said peace talks would soon take place in Astana, Kazakhstan. Assad’s government enters from a strong position after retaking Aleppo with Russian and Iranian support earlier this month. Moscow’s air campaign since 2015 has tilted the war in Assad’s favor.   Confusion remained over which groups the ceasefire covers. The Syrian army said it excludes Islamic State, al Qaeda’s former branch Nusra Front, and their allies. Rebel officials insisted Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, Nusra’s successor, was included. Ahrar al-Sham refused to sign, citing reservations.   The truce followed a thaw in Russia-Turkey ties. Days earlier, Russia, Iran and Turkey pledged to back a peace process. On Friday, Turkey’s military said Russian jets killed 12 Islamic State fighters near al-Bab, a sign of cooperation.   Putin said opposition groups and the government signed documents covering the ceasefire, monitoring, and readiness for talks. For Turkey, fighting Kurdish expansion has now overtaken efforts to remove Assad. His opponents are weaker than ever.   The U.S. will not attend the Kazakhstan talks. Its absence reflects frustration in Moscow and Ankara with Washington’s Syria policy. U.S. officials welcomed the ceasefire but urged all sides to honor it.   Former U.S. diplomat James Dobbins said America was sidelined because Obama is leaving office and because of disputes with Russia and Turkey over Syria. Trump has signaled he wants closer cooperation with Moscow, but the Pentagon and U.S. intelligence remain wary.    
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a session of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) in St. Petersburg, Russia December 26, 2016. Sputnik/Michael Klimentyev/Kremlin/via REUTERS

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a session of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) in St. Petersburg, Russia December 26, 2016. Sputnik/Michael Klimentyev/Kremlin/via REUTERS

 

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