By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON (AA) – The U.S. and Russia on Monday recommitted to a fragile truce in Syria, acknowledging the agreement’s uneven implementation.
“We believe our joint efforts have brought about a significant decrease in violence in the areas of North Latakia and East Ghouta. However, we also recognize the difficulties faced by the CoH in several areas of the country,” the countries said in a joint statement released by the State Department that used the acronym for the cessation of hostilities agreement.
“As a result, we have decided to reconfirm our commitment to the CoH in Syria and to intensify efforts to ensure its nation-wide implementation,” it added.
Brokered in February, the truce called on Syria’s warring parties to immediately halt hostilities and sought to increase humanitarian access in the country. Al-Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate, Nusra Front, and Daesh were excluded from the agreement’s protections.
It had largely held until fighting erupted in Syria’s second city, Aleppo, earlier this month amid a Syrian army buildup and rebel offensive.
In their statement, Russia and the U.S. said they would use their influence with the parties to urge adherence to the agreement.
It’s unclear how the Syrian government or the rebels will respond.
But, the statement said that Russia would work Damascus “to minimize aviation operations over areas that are predominantly inhabited by civilians or parties to the cessation.”
Part of the problem in implementing the agreement has been the Nusra Front’s presence among Syria’s rebels, particularly in Aleppo.
In order to better facilitate humanitarian aid delivery, Russia and the U.S. said that they would press the parties to “ensure continuous delivery of assistance” by land to the besieged towns of “Douma, East Harasta, Arbeen, Zamalka, Darayya, Zabadin, Fouah, Kafrayah, Madaya, Zabadani, Mouadhimiyeh, Yarmouk, Ein Terma, Hammura, Jisrein, Saqba, and Kafr Batna.”
Separately, airdrops will continue in the city of Deir ez-Zor for the 110,000 residents in need. Daesh has attacked and blockaded the eastern city for more than a year.
“In addition, we reaffirm the need for continuous deliveries to all locations considered by the UN to be hard-to-reach, such as al Waer, Talbisseh, al Rastan, and Afrin. We also recommend that the UN consider other locations that may meet the criteria for priority designations, including Nubul, Zahra, and Hasakeh,” the statement added.
Russia and the U.S. further recommitted efforts to reach a political settlement for Syria, and called for talks to resume.
