Syria Ceasefire Comes Into Effect
KABUL: (MEP) The first major ceasefire in Syria’s five-year civil war has come into effect early Saturday.
The “cessation of hostilities” began at midnight (22:00 GMT Friday) with early reports suggesting that guns had fallen silent over major battlefields.
The UN Security Council unanimously passed a vote late on Friday to support the pause in fighting in Syria, and demanded that all parties to the agreement fulfill their commitments to end hostilities.
Russia and the United States, the sponsors of the ceasefire deal, have said applying it will be difficult in a country that has been torn apart by a conflict that broke out in March 2011.
US President Barack Obama has warned Damascus and its key ally Moscow that the “world will be watching”.
Russian jets were reported to have intensified attacks on Syrian rebel positions on Friday.
The US-Russia brokered ceasefire was first announced on February 22 by Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Barack Obama.
Under the “Terms for a Cessation of Hostilities in Syria,” the participants of the agreement are obligated to “cease attacks with any weapons, including rockets, mortars, and anti-tank guided missiles” and “refrain from acquiring or seeking to acquire territory from other parties to the ceasefire.” They must also allow “unhindered and sustained” access to humanitarian assistance missions and employ only “proportional force” in self-defense against those not party to the agreement.
The truce will be monitored by a task force co-chaired by Moscow and Washington. Russia and the US are to “work together to exchange pertinent information,” such as up-to-date maps indicating which sides have agreed to the ceasefire, and where they are located.
Associated Press reporters in Damascus said they had not heard sounds of any explosions since three minutes before the truce took effect.
An opposition activist in the Damascus suburb of Ghouta also reported quiet in the early hours of Saturday. Speaking shortly after midnight Mazen al-Shami told AP that “Eastern Ghouta is quiet for the first time in years”.
