Russia declares ceasefire deal with opposition group for East Ghouta, at war since 2012

SUNDAY FEATURE

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The Assad regime’s military, struggling to break the remaining rebel forces near Damascus, declared a halt to operations on Saturday.

The military declared a “cessation of hostilities” from noon in the East Ghouta area to the east and northeast of the capital.

The rebel faction Failaq al-Rahman welcomed the announcement and said ceasefires were a first step to resolving the Syrian conflict. There was no statement from the other major rebel group, Jaish al-Islam, based in Douma northeast of the capital.

Since spring 2016 pro-Assad forces, aided by rebel in-fighting, have taken much of East Ghouta. This spring they forced capitulations with a combination of air and ground bombardment and sieges in suburbs like Barzeh and Qaboun to the northeast of Damascus.

However, the Syrian military and foreign allies have been unable to break through in the remaining suburbs, such as Ein Tarma, and in Jobar in northeast Damascus. In recent weeks, they have resorted to “toxic gas” attacks, probably with chlorine, as well as intense aerial assault amid ground battles.

An Agreement in Cairo?

The Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday that an agreement for an East Ghouta “de-escalation zone” was signedwith one faction of the Syrian opposition:

After the talks in Cairo between representatives of the Russian Defense Ministry and the Syrian opposition with the mediation of the Egyptian side, in development of the Astana accords, the parties signed agreements on functioning of the East Ghouta de-escalation zone.

The documents fix borders of the de-escalation zone, locations and authorities of the forces observing the de-escalation, as well as routes for delivery of humanitarian aid and for free movement of the civilians.

“The first humanitarian convoy to the de-escalation zone and evacuation of the injured are due within days,” the Defense Ministry added.

The opposition side al-Dorar said the agreement is with a group led by Ahmed al-Jarba, a former President of the Syrian National Coalition.

A spokesman said the agreement includes the transit of humanitarian aid and commercial goods, and the “regular movement of citizens”. The Russian military police will be stationed at observation posts at the main entrances to the East Ghouta opposition area.