Bashar al-Assad
Photo: AP
Syrian regime reportedly approves Russian-American ceasefire
The Russian-American ceasefire agreement has been approved by the Syrian government, according to official news agency Sana; hostilities are to cease on Monday, and Castello Road will be used to send in humanitarian support to Aleppo.
Damascus — The Damascus government has approved the Russian-American ceasefire agreement that should come into effect on Monday between the regime and the rebels, the official news agency Sana reported, citing "informed sources."
"The Syrian government has approved the Russian-American agreement…one of whose objectives is to find a political solution to the crisis in Syria," the agency reported, adding that there "would be a cessation of hostilities in the city of Aleppo for humanitarian reasons."
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad visits Syrian troops
The agreement includes a cessation of hostilities on all fronts between the regime and the rebels, particularly in the war-ravaged Aleppo.
The accord envisages, inter alia, the "demilitarization" of Aleppo's Castello Road, which was a former rebel supply route before the regime regained control of it on July 17, starting a de facto siege on the rebels. It stipulates that this road will be used to channel humanitarian aid to the city.
US Secretary of State John Kerry with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (Photo: AP)
Sources not identified by Sana stated, "The Syrian government has reviewed the entirety of the agreement and approved it."
John Kerry at meeting with Russian FM (צילום: רויטרס)
Earlier in the day, the Syrian opposition in exile indicated on its website that it had "not received an official copy of the Russian-American agreement."
A member of the opposition, Bassma Kodmani, reacted cautiously to the announcement of the agreement that could also lead to unprecedented military cooperation against jihadists.
Washington will have to convince the rebels to dissociate themselves from jihadist groups allied in the provinces of Aleppo and Idleb, including Jabhat Fateh al-Sham ("the Front for the Conquest of the Levant"), the successor to the al-Nusra Front, that is still considered to be a terrorist organization by Moscow and Washington.
