International

US, Russia agree to end fighting in Syria

Published

8 years ago

February 23, 2016

The U.S. and Russia have both agreed to a deal to end fighting between the Syria government and groups fighting against it. But the deal excludes the Islamic State of Iraq and Levante group (ISIL).

All warring parties in the “cessation of hostilities” agreement signed on Monday have been given up till Friday afternoonFebruary 26 to sign up and to stop fighting by midnight.

Reports say ISIL and the al-Nusra Front were not included because they are listed as terrorist groups by the UN Security Council.

But some critics believe the timing of the deal would allow different sides in the conflict to push for more territory in the lead up to the truce on Friday according to Al Jazeera’s diplomatic editor, James Bays, reporting from New York.

“Given everything that is happening in Syria, there is not a great deal of optimism about the proposed cessation of hostilities, particularly as many observers fear there will be an increase in the violence – with the warring sides trying to make gains in the days before it is due to start,” he said.

The Syrian Opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC), the major opposition bloc also involved in negotiations has expressed it’s doubts concerning the deal saying President Bashar al-Assad’s regime will not stick to the dictates of the agreement.

“[HNC coordinator Riad Hijab] said he does not expect the Assad regime, Russia and Iran to cease hostilities, due to their realisation that the regime’s survival depends on the continuation of its campaign of oppression, killing and forced displacement,” the HNC said in a statement.

“Therefore, the regime and its allies will continue to derail the political process and evade the inevitable.”

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