MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russia and the United States reached an agreement on the ceasefire in Syria on February 22. The ceasefire took effect at midnight on Saturday Damascus time (22:00 GMT on Friday).
"The terrorists of the Nusra Front international terrorist organization carried out a mortar attack against the Desert Falcons people’s opposition unit from the area controlled by the ‘moderate’ opposition in the Latakia province near the settlement of Kbana. There are large numbers of killed and wounded people among the opposition and local residents," the statement read.
The Syrian government has confirmed its readiness to halt its military actions in accordance with the Russia-US agreement. Some opposition forces have been skeptical about the ceasefire, but in general have agreed to adhere to it. According to Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, the conflicting Syrian sides that are ready to abide by the ceasefire have contacted the Russian coordination center for reconciliation in Syria's Latakia province over 10 times during the first day it has been in operation.
Russia and the United States can bomb any Syrian militant groups that have expressed their unwillingness to observe the ceasefire, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov noted. Washington, in its turn, said it was discussing a so-called Plan B to be implemented in the event that the Syrian ceasefire agreement is violated. Moscow has ruled out any Plan B for Syria.
