“I know the Russian Ministry of Defense has been putting out a list of [violations], we have seen them,” Toner stated on Monday. “It’s not been perfect; every day there is allegations of violations. We look into them via the task force when we sit there with Russia, with other members of the ISSG, to explore them, to better validate which ones are credible, which ones aren’t.”
Toner underscored the situation in Syria is very complex, but noted that the United States has seen a reduction in the overall level of violence.
“That’s encouraging. Given the level of violence prior to the cessation of hostilities to where it is today, it’s to mark difference,” Toner pointed out. “We hope and will continue to work to make sure that solidifies and strengthens.”
Over the past 24 hours, the Russian Center for Syria Reconciliation registered eight violations of the ceasefire regime, the Russian Defense Ministry said earlier on Monday. Violations took place in Hama province, Aleppo and Idlib.
Russia and the United States reached an agreement on a cessation of hostilities in Syria, which took effect on February 27. The ceasefire does not apply to terrorist groups operating in the country such as the Islamic State, also known as Daesh, or the Nusra Front.
