Syrian Ceasefire Violations ‘Troubling’ But Expected - US Senator

Reported violations of the Syrian ceasefire, registered by the Russian Defense Ministry, were anticipated but remain a concern, US Senator Tim Kaine told Sputnik on Thursday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik), Leandra Bernstein — Earlier in the day, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that over the past 24 hours there had been 14 shellings of residential areas and government troop positions, including in Damascus and Aleppo.

“It is troubling,” Kaine said of the reported violations. “We certainly didn’t expect 100 percent compliance, so…if we can narrow those down and focus our energies against the violators, rather than just have it be a free-for-all, that is better for the people.”

Kaine, who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, explained that “the early signs [of the ceasefire] seem positive," but argued it is too early to tell whether the cessation in hostilities will hold.

The United States and Russia, co-chairs of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), led the effort to broker a ceasefire among the warring parties in Syria that took effect on February 27. The international powers charged with monitoring the ceasefire maintain that it is largely holding, despite some ongoing clashes.