© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Syria's Regime And Rebel Group Agree To Truce That Will Begin Saturday

Syria's regime and opposition groups have agreed on a "cessation of hostilities." Here, a Syrian flag waves as vehicles move during rush hour in Damascus on Sunday.
Hassan Ammar
/
AP
Syria's regime and opposition groups have agreed on a "cessation of hostilities." Here, a Syrian flag waves as vehicles move during rush hour in Damascus on Sunday.

It wouldn't end all the violence that's torn at Syria for years now, but two key parties — President Bashar Assad's government and a main opposition group — have agreed to a truce, according to a joint statement by the U.S. and Russia.

Despite its potential landmark status, the "cessation of hostilities" agreement is being met with skepticism, in part because it doesn't include two powerful jihadist groups, ISIS (known as Daesh in Syria) and Jabhat al-Nusra, and also because Assad recently said he reserves the right "to attack factions he calls terrorists," as NPR's Parallels blog has noted.

The truce is set to begin at midnight Saturday (Damascus time); it was arranged by the U.N.-sponsored International Syria Support Group, which is co-chaired by the U.S. and Russia.

From a joint statement by the U.S. and Russia:

"Consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and the statements of the ISSG, the cessation of hostilities does not apply to "Daesh", "Jabhat al-Nusra", or other terrorist organizations designated by the UN Security Council."

NPR's Alison Meuse reports for our Newscast unit:

"Syria says its forces will continue to target terrorist groups and their affiliates, in line with the truce's terms. At the moment they're trying to regain a key highway from ISIS that connects Aleppo to the rest of the country.

"Syrian rebel representatives say they believe the regime will continue targeting the moderate opposition and civilians under the pretext of fighting terrorist groups."

On Monday, Assad issued a decree that set a date for Syria to hold parliamentary elections: April 13. As the official Syrian Arab News Agency reports, his decree also includes the number of seats allocated for each voting district.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Bill Chappell is a writer and editor on the News Desk in the heart of NPR's newsroom in Washington, D.C.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Related Content