Syria Support Group Agrees on ‘Imperative to Pursue’ Syrian Ceasefire - US DoS

Members of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) have agreed on the crucial importance of upholding cessation of hostilities in Syria, US Department of State spokesperson John Kirby said in a press release. The ISSG see difficulties in separating moderate Syrian rebels from al-Nusra Front terrorists, he added.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Monday, the Syrian army declared that the ceasefire ended because of numerous violations by the rebels. Over a week of the truce, Syrian opposition attacked some 300 times.

"They agreed that, despite continued violence, there was still an imperative to pursue a nationwide cessation of hostilities based on the arrangement reached last week in Geneva between the United States and Russia," Kirby stated.

"The members also discussed the importance of continuing to put pressure on the terrorist groups Daesh and al-Nusra [Front], while recognizing the difficulties of separating al-Nusra from the moderate opposition in some areas of the country."

The ISSG held a meeting on the Syrian crisis earlier in the day. Members of the International Syria Support Group have underscored the urgent need to continue talks on the Syrian crisis in coming weeks, the US Department of State spokesman said.

"They [members] stressed the absolute criticality of creating the conditions necessary to resume UN-led political talks in coming weeks," Kirby stated.