PHOTO: Regime forces in northern Latakia Province


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Despite a “cessation of hostilities” across Syria, regime forces continued attempts to take opposition-held territory in Latakia Province in the west of the country.

The Syrian military, enabled by Russian airstrikes, have advanced in northern Latakia since the start of the year, capturing almost all of the province. However, when the cessation began on Saturday, there were still areas near the Turkish border that are rebel-occupied.

Using the pretext that the jihadists of Jabhat al-Nusra — who are not covered by the cessation — are present, the regime forces have continued fighting.

Fadi Ahmad, a spokesman for the Free Syrian Army’s First Coastal Division said the Syrian Army had brought in reinforcements: “The battles were today very fierce.”

Latakia has been seen since the start of the 2011 uprising as a key area for the regime, with President Assad’s ancestral home in the province. It borders opposition-held Idlib Province and the al-Ghab Plain in northern Hama Province, contested since last spring.

Since Saturday, Russian airstrikes and the Syrian military’s ground assaults have been reported in Latakia, Idlib, Hama, and Homs Province as well as near Damascus.

See Syria Daily, March 2: Despite “Ceasefire”, Assad Regime Presses Ground Attacks

“Battles continue in vital areas that the regime wants, and where there was no truce in the first place. There is bombardment and battles,” a rebel commander said on Tuesday. “We are in the fifth day and there is no change in these areas.”

“We are concerned about reports that the Syrian regime has engaged in tank and artillery attacks against civilians,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said, referring to reports about strikes near Latakia.

“Obviously those kinds of attacks – if confirmed – would be a flagrant violation of cessation of hostilities.”

Resumption of Talks “Hypothetical” If Attacks Continue

UN envoy Staffan de Mistura had said on Tuesday that an attempt for talks between the regime and the opposition-rebel High Negotiations Committee would resume on March 9 in Geneva, delaying the start by 48 hours to ensure the cessation agreement holds.

However, opposition official George Sabra said yesterday that there will be no discussions if ceasefires are not effective and aid for besieged areas is not assured:

As long as the truce does not help implement the terms [of a UN resolution], all dates for the resumption of negotiations remain hypothetical.

What is the value of a truce if its overseers — meaning US and Russia — do not push all sides to abide by it?

The White House did not respond specifically to the Latakia attacks or to the other areas where the Syrian military is trying to advance; however, spokesman Josh Earnest said:

We are concerned about reports that the Syrian regime has engaged in tank and artillery attacks against civilians.

Obviously those kinds of attacks – if confirmed – would be a flagrant violation of cessation of hostilities.

UN: Assad Regime Holding Up Requests for Aid

A UN spokesperson said on Wednesday that the Assad regime is holding up requests for aid to besieged areas, despite UN resolutions and opposition-rebel demands for access to the assistance.

Farhan Haq, the Deputy Spokesperson for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, said the World Health Organization has made 15 requests — covering 2.5 million people in 53 areas — to deliver medical aid this year, but only three have been granted by the regime.

Haq said aid convoys for the besieged opposition-held town of Moadamiya, southwest of Damascus, were blocked on Monday; however, they were permitted on Wednesday, although some surgical items were still prohibited.

The spokesman said aid for the Kafr Batna area of East Ghouta, near Damascus, is planned for Thursday. Convoys will carry food and health supplies for an estimated 20,000 people.

A second round of convoys to the besieged towns of Madaya and Zabadani in Damascus Province and to the regime enclaves of al-Fu’ah and Kafraya in northwest Syria is tentatively scheduled for Saturday.


Residents Call for End to Rebel In-Fighting Near Damascus

Residents of Dhamir in Damascus Province have called for an end to in-fighting between the rebel factions Jaish al-Islam and Jaish Tahrir al-Sham.

A demonstration by hundreds of people also demanded the removal of earthen barriers on roads.

Clashes between the two factions have caused dozens of casualties on both sides, as well as killing and injuring civilians.


Video: Rebels Fight Kurdish Militia YPG in Aleppo

Rebels of the Jabhat Ansar al-Din faction clashing with the Kurdish militia YPG in the Sheikh Maqsoud section of Aleppo:

Despite the cessation of hostilities, fighting has continued in Sheikh Maqsoud, with each side accusing the other of aggression.

Last month, the YPG seized territory in northern Aleppo Province from the rebels, who were being pressed by foreign-led regime ground attacks and Russian bombing.