Syria fight eases as safe zones plan begins
BEIRUT: Fighting between Syrian rebel and government forces eased as a Russian-led effort to shore up a ceasefire took effect, although battles continued on an important frontline near Hama, a rebel commander and war monitor said.
The deal to create “de-escalation” zones in the major areas of conflict in western Syria took effect at midnight.
The initiative was proposed by Russia, President Bashar al Assad’s ally, with the support of Turkey, which backs the opposition. Iran also backed it. Political and armed opposition groups have rejected the proposal, saying Russia has been unwilling or unable to get Syria and other militia to respect past ceasefires.
The Syrian government said it backed the proposal but said it would continue to fight what it called terrorist groups across the country.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said there had been a reduction in fighting across Syria since the deal came into force, but warned it was too early to say whether it would last.
“The reduction in violence must be clear and lasting,” Observatory Director Rami Abdulrahman said.
The Observatory said it had not recorded any deaths as a result of fighting in the four zones since midnight, but there had been some violations. Breaches were seen mainly in northern Hama province, where Syrian forces have taken territory from rebels. DETAILS ON P6