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Syrian Cease-Fire Appears to Be Holding, for Now Syrian Cease-Fire Appears to Be Holding, for Now
(about 3 hours later)
BEIRUT, Lebanon — A cease-fire between the Syrian government and rebel groups tentatively took hold across the country on Friday, with only scattered reports of clashes, shelling and airstrikes.BEIRUT, Lebanon — A cease-fire between the Syrian government and rebel groups tentatively took hold across the country on Friday, with only scattered reports of clashes, shelling and airstrikes.
The truce, brokered primarily by Russia and Turkey, who pledged to guarantee the compliance of the government and the opposition, was announced on Thursday and went into effect at midnight.The truce, brokered primarily by Russia and Turkey, who pledged to guarantee the compliance of the government and the opposition, was announced on Thursday and went into effect at midnight.
Russian officials said that seven opposition groups had signed the agreement, which called for a cease-fire and by peace talks in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, next month. The text of the agreement has not been made public. A spokesman for Ahrar al-Sham, the largest rebel group, denied the group’s involvement. Russian officials said that seven opposition groups had signed the agreement, which called for a cease-fire and by peace talks in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, next month. The text of the agreement has not been made public. A spokesman for Ahrar al-Sham, the largest rebel group, denied that his group had signed the agreement.
The spokesman, Ahmed Qara Ali, said on Twitter on Thursday that the group had “reservations” about the agreement. He and other leaders of Ahrar al-Sham did not respond to requests on Friday to clarify the group’s position.The spokesman, Ahmed Qara Ali, said on Twitter on Thursday that the group had “reservations” about the agreement. He and other leaders of Ahrar al-Sham did not respond to requests on Friday to clarify the group’s position.
The cease-fire came after the rebels’ worst defeat since the uprising against the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, began in 2011: the loss of eastern Aleppo to pro-government forces this month.
Also on Friday, Russia urged the United Nations Security Council to pass a draft resolution endorsing the cease-fire, the third cessation of hostilities declared this year. Previous cease-fire agreements, announced by Russia and the United States in February and in September, fell apart in a matter of weeks.
The Security Council could vote on the resolution as early as Saturday, although its members have asked for modifications to the draft, Ambassador Vitaly I. Churkin of Russia told reporters.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which opposes the Syrian government and tracks the conflict from Britain, reported clashes and shelling in pockets around the country, including near the Syrian capital, Damascus, and in the central province of Hama. By midday Friday, it had reported no deaths in fighting between rebels and pro-government forces.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which opposes the Syrian government and tracks the conflict from Britain, reported clashes and shelling in pockets around the country, including near the Syrian capital, Damascus, and in the central province of Hama. By midday Friday, it had reported no deaths in fighting between rebels and pro-government forces.
The cease-fire agreement excluded jihadist groups including the Syrian affiliate of Al Qaeda, which often fights alongside rebel groups, and the Islamic State, which holds territory in eastern Syria and across the border in Iraq. Pro-government forces and Islamic State fighters clashed in several places, the monitoring organization said.The cease-fire agreement excluded jihadist groups including the Syrian affiliate of Al Qaeda, which often fights alongside rebel groups, and the Islamic State, which holds territory in eastern Syria and across the border in Iraq. Pro-government forces and Islamic State fighters clashed in several places, the monitoring organization said.
The cease-fire came after the rebels’ worst defeat since the uprising against the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, began in 2011: the loss of eastern Aleppo to pro-government forces this month. The Syrian Qaeda affiliate, Jabhat Fath al-Sham, formerly known as the Nusra Front, condemned the agreement. In a statement, it said the cease-fire did not address the presence of Iranian-backed militias or Russian troops in Syria, both of which have been fighting alongside Mr. Assad’s military.
In an interview with TG5, an Italian television network, Mr. Assad called his victory in Aleppo “an important step toward ending the war.” But it did not end the war, he said, because terrorists were still in Syria. “The solution is to topple the criminal regime militarily though jihad and patience,” said a statement by the militant group distributed through social media on Friday. “Any political solution that solidifies the pillars of the regime or reproduces it wastes the sacrifices, betrays the blood and aborts the blessed revolution that is six years old.”
In an interview with TG5, an Italian television network, Mr. Assad called his victory in Aleppo “an important step toward ending the war.” But it did not end the war, he said, because “terrorists” were still in Syria.
Mr. Assad has long considered all of the rebels to be terrorists.Mr. Assad has long considered all of the rebels to be terrorists.
Mr. Assad did not comment on the cease-fire, which was apparently agreed upon after the interview was filmed, but he added that he was “optimistic, with caution,” about the incoming administration of President-elect Donald J. Trump of the United States.Mr. Assad did not comment on the cease-fire, which was apparently agreed upon after the interview was filmed, but he added that he was “optimistic, with caution,” about the incoming administration of President-elect Donald J. Trump of the United States.
Mr. Trump has expressed admiration for President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and has suggested the two countries could work together to fight jihadist groups in Syria.Mr. Trump has expressed admiration for President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and has suggested the two countries could work together to fight jihadist groups in Syria.
The United States played no role in the new cease-fire agreement, but Russian officials have said they hoped that the United States would join the process after Mr. Trump takes office.The United States played no role in the new cease-fire agreement, but Russian officials have said they hoped that the United States would join the process after Mr. Trump takes office.
The new cease-fire agreement fails to address some issues that have hindered previous peace talks, most importantly the role Mr. Assad will play in Syria’s future. Russia has not addressed the issue and is unlikely to press Mr. Assad to leave after the military victory in Aleppo, analysts said.The new cease-fire agreement fails to address some issues that have hindered previous peace talks, most importantly the role Mr. Assad will play in Syria’s future. Russia has not addressed the issue and is unlikely to press Mr. Assad to leave after the military victory in Aleppo, analysts said.
Mr. Assad’s ouster has long been the primary demand of the rebels, and there was little sign that had changed. Residents in some rebel-held areas took advantage of the cease-fire on Friday to hold protests calling for Mr. Assad’s ouster, according to antigovernment activists and videos posted online.Mr. Assad’s ouster has long been the primary demand of the rebels, and there was little sign that had changed. Residents in some rebel-held areas took advantage of the cease-fire on Friday to hold protests calling for Mr. Assad’s ouster, according to antigovernment activists and videos posted online.