The Obama administration said Wednesday that the U.S. and Russia have announced to extend a “cessation of hostilities” agreement to Aleppo, Syria, although it said the two countries are still working out how to monitor the deal.
State Department spokesman Mark Toner announced that the U.S. is “coordinating closely with Russia to finalize enhanced monitoring efforts of this renewed cessation.” He also said violence has decreased since the agreement took effect today.
“Since this went into effect today at 00:01 in Damascus, we have seen an overall decrease in violence in these areas, even though there have been reports of continued fighting in some locations,” Toner said.
The U.S. has been hoping to end violence in Syria so key parties can resume talks aimed at reaching a political, and more peaceful, solution in Syria. Still, Toner indicated to reporters that the “very fluid and very complex,” and his formal statement called on all parties to adhere to the understanding.
“We expect all parties to the Cessation of Hostilities to abide fully by the renewed cessation in Aleppo and throughout the entire country, pursuant to the terms of the arrangements established in Munich in February 2016,” he said. “Attacks directed against Syria’s civilian population can never be justified, and these must stop immediately.”
Toner said the U.S. is looking for Russia to put pressure on Syrian President Bashar Assad to comply with the effort, and said the U.S. would work with Syrian opposition groups toward the same end.
“It is critical that Russia redouble its efforts to influence the regime to abide fully by the cessation,” he said.
