Moscow Generally Satisfied With 'Fragile' Ceasefire in Syria

© AP Photo / Hassan AmmarA Syrian national flag waves as vehicles move slowly on a bridge during rush hour, in Damascus, Syria, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016
A Syrian national flag waves as vehicles move slowly on a bridge during rush hour, in Damascus, Syria, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016 - Sputnik International
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Moscow is satisfied with the observance of the cessation of hostilities in Syria, and more and more armed opposition groups are joining into the observance, Russian UN Envoy in Geneva Alexei Borodavkin said.

GENEVA (Sputnik) – Borodavkin warned of making a focus on violations in the overall ceasefire.

“We are satisfied that the cessation of hostilities is generally being observed. After five years of armed conflict, where there are many terrorist groups operating, it would be naive to expect that a ceasefire would be observed in an hour. But, again, in general the cessation of hostilities is being observed. There are more and more opposition groups joining [the observance],” Borodavkin told RIA Novosti in an interview, adding that the ceasefire “remains to be fragile.”

“Moreover, they are not the only ones making violations in Syria, but Turkey as well, which is shelling Syrian territory,” Borodavkin added.

A Syrian man runs for cover as smoke rises from buildings nearby following a reported bombing attack, Aleppo, Syria (file photo) - Sputnik International
Russian MoD Accuses Turkey of Ongoing Hostilities in Syria's Aleppo, Idlib
Russia and the United States reached an agreement on the ceasefire in Syria. The cessation of hostilities took effect at midnight on February 27, Damascus time, generally holding across the country despite reported minor violations.

However, the Russian center on Syrian reconciliation said that it was receiving reports from the Syrian General Staff and Kurdish armed groups supporting the ceasefire, that complain of continuing artillery shelling from Turkey.

On February 13, Turkish artillery began shelling positions held by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), a Kurdish group with links to the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), in Syria's Aleppo Province.

On February 25, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that the truce in Syria is not obligatory for Turkey to follow if the country feels a threat against its security.

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