Fighting between Syrian rebel and government forces eased yesterday as a Russian-led effort to shore up a ceasefire took effect, although battles continued on an important front line near Hama, a rebel commander and war monitor said.
The deal to make “de-escalation” zones in the major areas of conflict in western Syria took effect at midnight on Friday.
The initiative was proposed by Russia, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s most powerful ally, with the support of Turkey, which backs the opposition. Iran, al-Assad’s other major ally, also backed it.
Photo: AFP
Political and armed opposition groups have rejected the proposal, saying Russia has been unwilling or unable to get al-Assad and his Iranian-backed militia allies to respect past ceasefires.
Damascus said it backed the proposal, but added that 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 told reporters.
The rebel commander said the general level of violence was reduced, but added: “Regime attempts [to advance] in the Hama countryside continue.”
With the help of Russia and Iranian-backed militias, the Syrian government has gained the military upper hand in the six-year conflict. The wide array of rebel groups include some supported by Turkey, the US and Persian Gulf monarchies.
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 Governorate, where Syrian government and allied forces have taken territory from rebels in recent weeks.
Warplanes fired at the rebel-held village of al-Zalakiyat and nearby positions in the northern Hama countryside, where the combatants exchanged shelling, the Britain-based war monitoring group said.
The monitor said government forces shelled the nearby towns of Kafr Zita and al-Latamneh.
There was no immediate comment from the Syrian Army.
Mohammed Rasheed, a spokesman for the Jaish al-Nasr rebel group based in Hama, confirmed that fighting had broken out after midnight.
Rasheed said rebel-held Idlib Governorate to the north of Hama was almost completely quiet, but the attacks, which included barrel bombs, were focused on the northern Hama front line.
“The bombardment has not stopped; it is no different from before,” he told reporters.
Iran and Turkey on Thursday agreed to a Russian proposal for safe zones in Syria. The text of the memorandum was yesterday published by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The agreement said four safe zones would be established in Syria for a period of six months, which could be extended if the three signatory countries agree.
Weaponry and airstrikes were not to be used in those zones by combatants, the text said.
The agreement also included the creation of conditions for humanitarian access, medical assistance and the return of displaced civilians to their homes.
The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) is to tighten rules for candidates running for public office, requiring them to declare that they do not hold a Chinese household registration or passport, and that they possess no other foreign citizenship. The requirement was set out in a draft amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the Public Officials Election and Recall Act (公職人員選舉罷免法 ) released by the ministry on Thursday. Under the proposal, candidates would need to make the declaration when submitting their registration forms, which would be published in the official election bulletin. The move follows the removal of several elected officials who were
The Republic of China (ROC) is celebrating its 114th Double Ten National Day today, featuring military parades and a variety of performances and speeches in front of the Presidential Office in Taipei. The Taiwan Taiko Association opened the celebrations with a 100-drummer performance, including young percussionists. As per tradition, an air force Mirage 2000 fighter jet flew over the Presidential Office as a part of the performance. The Honor Guards of the ROC and its marching band also heralded in a military parade. Students from Taichung's Shin Min High School then followed with a colorful performance using floral imagery to represent Taiwan's alternate name
FOUR DESIGNATED AREAS: Notices were issued for live-fire exercises in waters south and northwest of Penghu, northeast of Keelung and west of Kaohsiung, they said The military is planning three major annual exercises across the army, navy and air force this month, with the navy’s “Hai Chiang” (海強, “Sea Strong”) drills running from today through Thursday, the Ministry of National Defense said yesterday. The Hai Chiang exercise, which is to take place in waters surrounding Taiwan, would feature P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft and S-70C anti-submarine helicopters, the ministry said, adding that the drills aim to bolster the nation’s offshore defensive capabilities. China has intensified military and psychological pressure against Taiwan, repeatedly sending warplanes and vessels into areas near the nation’s air defense identification zone and across
A Chinese takeover of Taiwan would severely threaten the national security of the US, Japan, the Philippines and other nations, while global economic losses could reach US$10 trillion, National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Lin Fei-fan (林飛帆) wrote in an article published yesterday in Foreign Affairs. “The future of Taiwan is not merely a regional concern; it is a test of whether the international order can withstand the pressure of authoritarian expansionism,” Lin wrote in the article titled “Taiwan’s Plan for Peace Through Strength — How Investments in Resilience Can Deter Beijing.” Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) intent to take Taiwan by force
RSS