Russia Registers 18 Ceasefire Violations in Syria During Past 24 Hours
"Within last 24 hours, the Russian party of the Russia-Turkey Commission on violations of the Joint Agreement has registered 18 ceasefire violations in the provinces of Damascus (10), Latakia (3), Hama (2). The Turkish party has registered 15 cases of ceasefire violations in the provinces of Damascus (2), Daraa (3), Hama (7), Homs (3),” the ministry's center for Syrian reconciliation said in a daily bulletin.
The Syrian civil war has been raging for six years, with government forces fighting against both Syrian opposition groups who strive to overthrow President Bashar Assad, and numerous extremist and terrorist groups such as Daesh and Jabhat Fatah al Sham, both of which are outlawed in Russia.
Russia and Turkey are the guarantors of a nationwide Syrian ceasefire regime that came into force on December 30, 2016 and has been holding up in general, despite continued reports of violations. The UN Security Council passed a resolution in December 2016 supporting the effort.
On Thursday, Russia, Turkey and Iran signed the memorandum on establishment of four safe zones in the Arab country as part of the Astana talks on Syrian settlement. The four zones span the northwestern Idlib province and parts of the neighboring Latakia, Hama and Aleppo, the north of the central Homs province, Eastern Ghouta near Damascus, as well as southern Daraa and Quneitra regions. The memorandum came into force at 21:00 GMT on Friday.
