Ceasefire In Syria Close To Collapsing

The ceasefire in Syria appears to be crumbling with the increase in the number of airstrikes and ground clashes. This comes at the government plans a new offensive as well as prepare for parliamentary elections. France said there are signs the ceasefire is collapsing. France is an outspoken critic of Iran and President Bashar al-Assad of Syria. The partial ceasefire played a significant role in the reduction of the daily death toll.

France said the new attacks in the eastern suburbs of Damascus and Aleppo by the government is threatening the ceasefire. However, Iran said it was the fault of armed groups going up against the government. US officials expressed concern on the increasing violence in Syria.

Concerns on the possible collapse of the ceasefire in Syria increased even as special UN envoy Staffan de Mistura visited Tehran prior to another round of peace talks in Geneva. Mistura said he highlighted the importance of maintaining the partial ceasefire after meeting officials in Iran.

However, the death toll is rising. Two Russian helicopter pilots were killed after it crashed in Talbiseh in the Homs Province. The crash came one day after the government and its allies conducted airstrikes there. A local anti-government activist said around nine people died in the bombings. If the ceasefire in Syria ends, it will result to an end to the relief for Syrian civilians who have suffered from the war that displace half of the population of the country and killed hundreds of thousands.

Even with its limited success, the partial ceasefire demonstrated the challenges that have to be dealt with in bringing peace among different groups in the country. President Assad said he should stay in power while opposing groups said no agreement can be made if he remains in office. The talks in Geneva are aimed at facilitating a political transition. A bold timetable was established last year in Vienna with the aim of holding new presidential elections.

Ceasefire In Syria Close To Collapsing - image credit: en.wikipedia.org

While parliamentary elections are not included in the plan, the government of Syria is insisting on holding them. The parliamentary elections were described as illegitimate by the opposition.

The ceasefire in Syria did not include the Nusra Front and the Islamic State. It also did not end indiscriminate attacks against civilians. Human Rights Watch deputy director in the Middle East Nadim Houry said while Syrians experienced relief with the decline in the death toll, a good number of civilians continue to be killed due to indiscriminate attacks.

The two sides were accused of attacking civilians that endangered the ceasefire in Syria, according to the group. The group cited shelling of Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo by the rebels while the government attacked the eastern part of Damascus.

An increase in attacks on rebel-held areas in Aleppo by government warplanes was noted. The attacks come as officials revealed a new offensive with support from Russian aircraft. The government and its allies have been trying to move to the south of Aleppo on a highway going to Damascus

The ceasefire in Syria allowed rebels to increase attacks against the Islamic State in Aleppo. However, a town close to the border with Turkey was retaken by the extremist group. Access to humanitarian aid remains a challenge despite the ceasefire. There were a number of successful airdrops in some areas, including the city of Deir al-Zour, which is surrounded by the Islamic State. But, aid has yet to reach areas surrounded by government forces.

Even as Mistura said the new talks will result to “very concrete” measures, it may require some baby steps before a transition can be accomplished. The talks will not have the two sides staying in the same room at the same time since they will meet with Mistura separately.

Posted by George Daniels on Tuesday April 12 2016, 11:29 PM EDT. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Uncategorized. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0