MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The expansion of the ceasefire zone in Syria is impossible due to daily violations by militants, Syrian Ambassador to Russia Riyad Haddad told Sputnik.
The Syrian Army is the only party adhering to the ceasefire, and "therefore how can one talk about the expansion of the ceasefire if it is violated by the militants on a daily basis?" the ambassador said in an interview.
Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad fighting numerous opposition factions and extremist groups. A US-Russia-brokered ceasefire came into force across Syria on February 27. The ceasefire does not apply to terrorist organizations, such as the Islamic State and the Nusra Front, both of which are outlawed in many countries, including Russia.