US Urges Syrian Opposition to Split From Nusra, All Parties to Join Ceasefire

US Secretary of State John Kerry urged Syrian opposition groups to separate from Jabhat Fatah Al Sham, formerly known as the Nusra Front, and reiterated the call for all parties to join the US-Russian brokered ceasefire in a press briefing on Monday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Kerry explained that, following seven days of reduced violence and increased humanitarian access, the United States and Russia will establish a Joint Implementation Center (JIC) to coordinate military action against Nusra and the Islamic State’s positions in Syria.

"I reiterate my call to all parties to observe the cessation of hostilities," Kerry stated. "I want to praise the opposition’s courage in embarking on this arrangement, and call on them to separate themselves from al-Nusra in those areas where intermingling has been a problem."

Both Nusra and the Islamic State, which are UN-designated terrorist groups, are legitimate targets outside the scope of the ceasefire agreement.

Kerry stressed that that Washington and Moscow are determined to take on terrorist groups and anyone who joins Nusra’s offensive operations has "made a choice to be with Nusra and then they run the risk" of being targeted.

State Department spokesperson John Kirby noted that a primary purpose of the agreement is to prevent the Syrian Air Force from conducting airstrikes in areas where the opposition or Nusra are present.