Russia Calls for 48-Hour Extension of Syria Ceasefire

Russia calls for extension of the nationwide ceasefire in Syria for another 24 hours, the Russian General Staff said Wednesday. Some groups, backed by Washington, openly rejected the ceasefire.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia "calls for the extension for 48 hours of the regime of cessation of hostilities on the whole of the Syrian territory," Lt. Gen. Viktor Poznikhir, first deputy chief of the General Staff's Main Operational Department, told reporters.

According to the official, the ceasefire agreement was not fully implemented.

"As of this morning, the total number of violations by militants increased to 60… We also note that some armed groups controlled by the United States, such as Ahrar Al-Sham, announced directly their unwillingness to cease fire. The biggest number of violations is linked to these groups," Poznikhir added.

The Syrian government troops are not retaliating, Poznikhir noted.