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Updated 5.51pm
SYRIA’S GOVERNMENT HAS approved a ceasefire deal brokered by its Russian ally and the US to end fighting in the war-ravaged country, but the main opposition group was more cautious.
The landmark deal, reached after marathon talks in Geneva yesterday, could also lead to the first joint military operations by Moscow and Washington against jihadists.
But even as diplomats touted the agreement as a path to peace, a barrage of airstrikes on the northwestern city of Idlib killed 24 people and wounded dozens.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was not immediately clear who carried out the raids, and said some bodies “were burned beyond recognition”.
The truce deal negotiated by US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is set to enter into force on Monday, the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.
Syrian state news agency SANA reported that the “government has approved the agreement, and a cessation of hostilities will begin in Aleppo for humanitarian reasons”.
Citing “informed sources”, it said “the entire agreement was reached with the knowledge of the Syrian government”.
The opposition High Negotiations Committee said it had yet to receive the deal’s “official text”, however.
Leading HNC member Bassma Kodmani told AFP that her group “cautiously welcomed” the deal but was sceptical that Damascus would comply.
We are waiting for Russia to persuade the regime that it is necessary to commit to this agreement.
‘Best chance’
Both Kerry and Lavrov said the complex plan is the best chance to end the five-year war that has killed 290,000 people and seen millions flee to neighbouring countries.
Under the deal, fighting would halt across the country at sundown on Monday and Syria’s air force would stop attacking rebel-held areas.
A “demilitarised zone” would be established around the Castello Road leading into the battered second city of Aleppo so desperately needed aid can be delivered.
In turn, Washington must get opposition groups it backs to separate themselves from the Fateh al-Sham Front, which changed its name from Al-Nusra Front after renouncing its ties to Al-Qaeda.
If a cessation of hostilities holds for one week, the US and Russia — which back opposing sides in the war — could start joint operations against those jihadists.
Lavrov said Washington and Moscow agreed on zones in which joint “strikes against terrorists” would be conducted.
The HNC’s Kodmani said the rebels would break ranks with the jihadists if the truce held. It said:
The moderate groups will reorganise and distance themselves from the radical groups. We will do our part.
The question of Assad’s fate remains a key sticking point: the HNC repeated its demand this week that he leave power, but Russia continues to back him.
‘Window of opportunity’
And Syria expert Charles Lister said mainstream opposition fighters had not indicated a willingness to break their alliance with powerful hardliners, which they see as “a military necessity”.
The rebel-jihadist alliance is most pronounced in Idlib province, site of Saturday’s deadly air strikes.
The Observatory said that in addition to the 24 dead at least 90 were wounded in the raids on various neighbourhoods of Idlib city, including a market.
An AFP photographer in Idlib saw men clambering over rubble, in just slippers or sandals, to help evacuate wounded and dust-covered residents from a collapsing building.
Others tried to lift a bloodied shopper who had collapsed on the ground as a fire raged in an open-air clothes market.
A UN-backed truce agreed in February has been repeatedly broken by both sides.
The final hours of the US-Russia talks in Geneva dragged out as Kerry contacted the White House to get approval for the plan, but the top diplomat said both governments stand by it.
British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson welcomed the deal but said it was “vital that the regime in Damascus now delivers on its obligations”.
Key rebel backer Turkey also backed the deal, adding that it was essential that the fighting stop and aid start flowing from day one of the ceasefire.
UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura said that the deal provided a “window of opportunity” and that he would begin consultations on a relaunch of peace talks.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said: “Everything now depends on rapid implementation.”
The truce deal follows heavy fighting around Aleppo in recent weeks during which the rebels fought unsuccessfully to break the government siege.
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Kenny has a nice EU commissioner role awaiting him in Brussels, which is his 30 pieces of silver for not burning the bondholders but burdened the Irish taxpayers with debt.
@Permo Dermo: that wasn’t him. Blame that lying bast@rd Brian Cowan for that
@jason bourne: Actually jason it was Enda “its not our debt” that put us on the rack,
@Permo Dermo:
Please. The people who burdened the Irish taxpayers with debt were the public sector unions, who’s refusal to give an inch on their bloated pay and pensions during the recession led to a €20 billion annual deficit, every year. The bank bailout was small change compared to that.
@Fred Jensen: €20 > €64?? oh ya I forgot you’re probably using leprechaun economics.
@Fred Jensen: You are some moron aren’t you if you believe that. Aside from the incontrovertible fact that every public sector employee took a fairly hefty pay cut, one which is only now beginning to be only slightly undone, and had a public sector only pension levy applied, how could anyone forget that it was the failure of private sector organisations – banks and property developers among others – that caused the recession and economic collapse. Don’t be so daft
@Fred Jensen: Fred would you ever cop on to yourself.
Why wasn’t tosser listed.
Well this gombeen ever exit the stage.he sold out his own people in favour of the EU,has to be the most embarrassing leader ever
The sheer arrogance of the man, did the same when it came to announcing the date of the last General Election, flip-flopping around for months, unwilling to inform the Irish people when they would be allowed to cast their vote, forgetting that he is nothing more than a PUBLIC SERVANT. Should be in jail for treason.
Surely Seannachi-in-chief. I know a homeless fella on a bench in merrion square with a pint in each hand who will second him for the role, as soon as he’s finished phoning everyone to tell them how much extra water is in his taps thanks to fine gael.
He wasn’t good enough to be taoiseach never mind any of the other jobs. The fact that the EU people see him as a soft touch to advance their own objectives (hence all the EU praise) will rule him out for all of those jobs. I can’t remember one important decision he’s made in the 6 years he’s been taoiseach, except that announcement for the immigrant vote referendum a few months back which will mean nothing to most of us.
@Adrian: The Aqueduct?
“Recently, there has been speculation that Kenny should be kept on as Brexit minister.”
Why would we want “its not our debt” any were near important discussions…..
40 years as a TD, stayed under the radar for 30 odd years collecting his wages and then spent the past few years keeping his masters in Brussels happy to make sure he gets a plum job in Europe. He’s done very well for “himself” and will be looked after while phase two austerity continues to be implemented under stealth taxes and lack of investment in public services. That’s his legacy and as long as the Irish people continue to FF/FG, many more entitled TD’s will enrich themselves on the back of the gullible Irish voter.
While he collects his Taoiseach’s massive pension pot and then the 100k lump sum and the 30k a year teachers pension, he can think about it.
Prison cell
@Jonathan Yeo: so it’s a crime to save a country from economic ruins?
@Negan: lol
@Negan: what planet are you on, I’d like to visit for a few hours.
What about absolute waster?
Quentin Tarantino is looking for a new gimp for Pulp Fiction 2
Would his incompetence be put up with anywhere else.
@William Clay: Only in the EU…..
He could get a job working for Dinny?
Like Cowan did.
Who would have him the circus wouldn’t take him!!
@vinnie Monaghan. Cos he already holds that job title.
He should be booted out of politics.
Why doesn’t he volunteer and dosomething worthwhile ? Why a job with a big salary and yet another pension?
A bog in his beloved mayo,,bury him in it
@Shane O Malley: Shane with a name like O Malley at u sure u wouldn’t like to be buried with him.
Backbencher?
Go back teaching-ar u. Joking-he couldn’t teach a donkey.He will b over in the canaries rubbing the sun cream onto Finnullas back.
Enda wants the private lick arse job to Merkel.
have your say