The UN-backed two-week truce is to start on Friday
On the eve of the beginning of the two-week long truce in Syria, President Barack Obama of the United States reiterated that all participating groups in the UN-backed ‘cessation of hostilities’ must cease their respective attacks in different regions of the war-torn country. If the violence can be successfully stopped even temporarily, then it could be the starting of a new era in Syria?a much more peaceful time. President Obama also reinforced his resolve to fight the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, which he says is ‘not a caliphate but a crime ring’.
“The coming days will be critical and the world will be watching,” stated the President.
Added the American premier, the result, whether positive or negative, of the ‘cessation of hostilities’ is dependent upon how well Russia, the Syrian government and its allies can follow their commitments to the UN and the world community. He emphasized that along with the end of violence, it is essential for humanitarian aid to reach those civilians in desperate need in the remotest parts. However, the premier was quick to point out the facts that the fight against IS and the factional disparity amongst the rebel groups meant that the extremist violence in the country isn’t quenchable that easily.
The President didn’t shy away from once again making a stand against President Bashar al-Assad, insisting that he had to step down to end the civil war. At the same time, the premier confessed to the dispute over the matter between the Coalition and Russia and its allies. Said he, “It is clear that after years of barbarity against his people, many will not stop fighting until Assad is out of power.”
President Obama commented that progress was being made against the IS, with the terror outfit seeing fewer sympathizers; but the Syrian conflict has to end if the activities of this group are to be stopped. The IS has not succeeded in any of its offensive operations for a year now and has also lost 40% of the territory that it had seized. “More people are realizing that IS is not a caliphate, it’s a crime ring. They are not winning over hearts and minds, they are under pressure. In the end, the brutality of IS is no match for the yearning of millions who want to live in safety and dignity,” stated the President.
While groups like the Kurdish Popular Protection Units (YPG) and Syria’s major opposition group have decided to respect the ceasefire, they have reserved the legal right to retaliate if provoked. Yet, the High Negotiations Committee is worried about Moscow’s and Damascus’ readiness to adhere to the truce, seeing as they may continue targeting rebel groups allied to the al-Nusra Front, another extremist group based in the region, who along with the IS will be excluded from the truce.
At the same time, the UN Envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura has assured that the dates for the next round of peace talks in the devastated region will be announced on Friday. The success of this peace-inducing tactic will decide the future of the broken state and of the millions of displaced people, while bringing the deaths of nearly 250,000 to justice.
Source: BBC
Tags: Barack Obama Syria Syria conflict USA
