WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The spokesperson noted that the primary purpose of the ceasefire deal "is to prevent the Syrian regime air force from flying or striking in any areas in which the opposition or Nusra [Jabhat Fatah Al Sham] are present."
"To clarify: the arrangement announced last week makes no provision whatsoever for the US and Russia to approve strikes by the Syrian regime, and this is not something we could ever envision doing," Kirby stated.
If the new ceasefire in Syria lasts for seven days, the United States and Russia will work together to establish a joint implementation center (JIC), and carry out strikes against the Nusra Front.
During a briefing earlier on Monday, Kirby said that the Assad government would be able to strike the Nusra terrorists.
"They [the Assad government] will be permitted, if there is consensus here inside the JIC, to hit a designated, a known Nusra target," Kirby stated. "There is no prohibition under this arrangement for them to do that."
Kirby also said that "the whole idea" of discussions with Russia was "to provide level of certainty and visibility of where Assad would be able to fly."
Kirby added that there was never a plan to ground Assad forces permanently, but underscored they would not be able to fly over opposition-controlled or mixed areas.
