Syria ‘cessation of hostilities’ deal offers glimmer of hope

[rooster59]

Syria ‘cessation of hostilities’ deal offers glimmer of hope



Implementation is the key to the new deal struck on Syria, with world powers aiming to bring an end to hostilities in a week.

As US Secretary of State John Kerry said: “What we need to see in the next few days are actions on the ground, in the field.”

The crisis is uppermost on the agenda as the Munich Security Conference continues.

But while the accord has the potential to be the first diplomatic breakthrough in a conflict that has fractured the Middle East and killed at least 250,000 people, it falls short of a formal ceasefire, since it was not signed by the main warring parties – the opposition and government forces.

What is more, President’s Assad’s ally Russia looks set to continue its bombing as the Syrian government’s advances around the northern city of Aleppo force tens of thousands of people to flee their homes.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow would not stop bombing as the deal did not apply to ISIL or al-Nusra jihadists.

“Our airspace forces will continue working against these organisations,” he said.

The West however says Russia has, in fact, mostly been targeting other insurgent groups, including some that Western countries support.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Russia must halt strikes on insurgents other than ISIL for any peace deal to work.

“Russia has mainly targeted opposition groups and not ISIL. Air strikes of Russian planes against different opposition groups in Syria have actually undermined the efforts to reach a negotiated, peaceful solution.” he said.

But Stoltenberg also welcomed the deal.

“The migrant and refugee crisis in Europe is mainly fuelled by the war in Syria and therefore I welcome very much the agreement that was reached here in Munich late last night. The important thing now is of course the implementation – that we see that this agreement is translated into realities on the ground.”

There is also a pledge to provide rapid humanitarian access to besieged civilians in need – an aid plan being discussed on Friday in Geneva where it is hoped full peace talks can finally get underway before the end of the month.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) says it has started distributing urgently needed food to people displaced by the recent surge in violence in northern Aleppo.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-01-13

[craigt3365]

It's sad that a potential cease fire agreement is only a week away, and yet, the massive bombing campaign still continues. It should be stopped immediately.

[simple1]

It's sad that a potential cease fire agreement is only a week away, and yet, the massive bombing campaign still continues. It should be stopped immediately.

Believe fairly common activity leading up to a ceasefire to increase tempo to destroy opposition forces / grab as much territory as possible to re-enforce negotiating positions.

[Scott]

It's sad that a potential cease fire agreement is only a week away, and yet, the massive bombing campaign still continues. It should be stopped immediately.

Believe fairly common activity leading up to a ceasefire to increase tempo to destroy opposition forces / grab as much territory as possible to re-enforce negotiating positions.

Yes and then the ceasefire itself is used as a time to re-arm and get ready for the next round of fighting.

Ceasefires are not often very successful. Until their is either a victor in sight or the parties just grow tired of fighting, there is no peace. There are exceptions, but not all that many.

[Geoffggi]

Too little too late!! foreign countries should never have interfered in the first place, I have worked in the Middle East for many years and have come to realise that the two cultures will NEVER mix, we can agree to live side by side (sort of) but mixing is not in the Middle Eastern culture; the West made a big mistake in removing the strong Arab Leaders as this is the only type of attitude they respect, there are more wars in this region than ever before and it is only the interest in what other foreign countries can get out of the region and not for the good of the country.

[wabothai]

The "west" and in particular the US with their very limited knowledge of other cultures (sounds familiar?) tramples around the world as an elephant in a porcelain chest.

However the cessation may be a good beginning to stop the murdering of civilians.

Edited February 13, 2016 by wabothai

[craigt3365]

The "west" and in particular the US with their very limited knowledge of other cultures (sounds familiar?) tramples around the world as an elephant in a porcelain chest.

However the cessation may be a good beginning to stop the murdering of civilians.

Seems you understand very little about the US. It is a multi-cultural and multi-race nation. Many in positions of power came from other countries. I'd dare say they know quite a bit about the world. Perhaps more so than many other nations that don't have such diversity.

[JHolmesJr]

Sounds like a plan doomed to failure even before it's implemented.

[khunken]

Russia has mainly targeted opposition groups and not ISIL.....

Why continue with this lie when dealing with those with whom you want to cooperate.

As IS & Al-Nusra are very much part of the opposition (sometimes to both sides), leaving them out but including some of the other Saudi sponsored Islamist groups (Al-Shams for example) is a strong recipe for failure. Not only that but the Kurdish groups are excluded too.

This just won't work.

[Rancid]

Seems more likely the peace plan was reached with the Russians expecting Aleppo to fall soon. The language seems to suggest there will be no reprise for ISIS or Al Nusra, so would expect things to stay busy for a while yet.

Remains to be seen what Turkey will do, and how badly does Israel want Golan. Many well laid plans of territorial acquisition will go astray if Assad re-secures his borders.

[craigt3365]

Seems more likely the peace plan was reached with the Russians expecting Aleppo to fall soon. The language seems to suggest there will be no reprise for ISIS or Al Nusra, so would expect things to stay busy for a while yet.

Remains to be seen what Turkey will do, and how badly does Israel want Golan. Many well laid plans of territorial acquisition will go astray if Assad re-secures his borders.

Crazy times in Syria. Even Russia doesn't like Assad. But can't get rid of him now. And it doesn't look like things will calm down especially with the intensified bombing and Assad's recent talk about wanting to take back all of Syria.