Russia Registers Six Ceasefire Violations in Syria

Russian monitors registered six episodes of ceasefire violations in Syria in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, another six settlements have agreed to uphold truce.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russian representatives in the Russian-Turkish commission on the Syrian truce have registered six violations of the ceasefire regime over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

"The Russian part of the joint Russian-Turkish commission on issues related to violations of the Joint Agreement has registered 6 violations over the past 24 hours in Latakia [4] and Hama [2] provinces," the ministry's Center for Syrian reconciliation said in a daily bulletin.

"The Turkish side has registered 10 violations: one in Aleppo, three in Daraa, three in Damascus, two in Idlib, and one in Quneitra provinces," the bulletin said.

According to the document, the Russian side can confirm only three violations registered by Turkey.

Meanwhile, the number of settlements that have joined the cessation of hostilities in war-torn Syria has increased to 1,249.

"Within the last 24 hours, truce agreements have been reached with representatives of six settlements in Damascus [3] and Hama [3] provinces, bringing the total number of settlements that have joined the ceasefire to 1,249," the ministry said.

Negotiations on joining ceasefire regime have continued with field commanders of armed opposition units operating in Damascus, Homs, Hama, Quneitra, and Aleppo provinces.

In late December, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a Russian-Turkish resolution on a ceasefire regime in Syria, as well as on holding political talks between the Syrian government and opposition groups in Astana, Kazakhstan in January 2017. A day earlier, a nationwide ceasefire between Syrian government troops and several opposition factions came into force. Russia and Turkey serve as guarantors of the deal that paves the way for negotiations between the warring parties.

Since 2011, Syria has been engulfed in a civil war, with government forces fighting against numerous opposition and terrorist groups, including al-Nusra Front and Daesh, banned in a range of countries, including Russia.

Moscow has been conducting a counter-terrorist campaign in Syria since September 30, 2015, at President Bashar Assad's request.