Tabnak – In a sign indicating that the agreement on "de-escalation zones” in Syria is gradually working, Russia and the Syrian government declared a ceasefire in Eastern Ghouta region close to the capital Damascus. This is while, the other areas under the de-escalation initiative are yet to be agreed upon between Russia, Iran and Turkey.
BBC reported late Saturday that the Syrian army has declared a halt in fighting in parts of the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta region outside Damascus. The move came after Russia, an ally of the government, said it had reached an agreement with "moderate" rebels to de-escalate conflict in the area.
In a statement, the Syrian army said a cessation of hostilities in areas of Eastern Ghouta came into effect on midday local time on Saturday (09:00 GMT). "The army will retaliate in a suitable manner to any violation," it said. Eastern Ghouta was one of four proposed "de-escalation zones" in a deal agreed between Russia, Iran and Turkey in May.
The plan, which came into effect at midnight on May 5, calls for the cessation of hostilities between militant groups and Syrian government forces. It covers the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib, northeastern areas of the western coastal province of Latakia, western areas of Aleppo province and northern areas of Hama province.
It also applies to the Rastan and Talbiseh enclave in Homs province, Eastern Ghouta district in the northern Damascus countryside as well as the militant-controlled southern part of the country along the border with Jordan.
According to The Washington Post, violence had been reported in the "de-escalation zones” since the deal was struck more than two months ago. Until early Saturday, the eastern Damascus suburbs known as eastern Ghouta have been subjected to shelling and airstrikes.
However, German news outlet DW argues that implementing any deal in the area will be difficult. There are three main rebel groups in eastern Ghouta: the al-Qaeda linked Hayat Tahir al-Sham, the Army of Islam and the Free Syrian Army-linked Faylaq al-Rahman. They have been prone to repeated bouts of infighting over territory and revenue sources.
The rebel infighting has allowed pro-Syria government forces to claw back territory in the enclave. Any deal between Russia and Syria with one group may trigger renewed rebel infighting with groups such as Hayat Tahir al-Sham which is opposed to negotiations.
Meanwhile, according to Press TV, the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Saturday that calm has prevailed across the militant-held northwestern province of Idlib since sunset Friday after Ahrar al-Sham terrorists and al-Qaeda-linked Tahrir al-Sham Salafists concluded an agreement.
However, it should be noted that although fighting in all four zones initially eased, the deal has not been fully implemented over disagreements on how to monitor the cessation of violence.
