U.S., Russia agree to a deal for a cease-fire in Syria's civil war

Major world powers have agreed to a "cessation of hostilities" in Syria. So what exactly does that mean?

Diplomats meeting in Munich agreed early Friday to implement a "cessation of hostilities" in Syria's long-running civil war and bring aid into the country to stem a humanitarian crisis that has displaced millions.

Secretary of State John Kerry announced the agreement after meeting with his Russian counterpart and other diplomats in an effort to reach a cease-fire in the nearly five-year-long war. The goal is to have a cease-fire in a week’s time, Kerry said.

The announcement amounted to a significant development in a civil war that has killed more than 250,000 people, caused mass destruction and created Europe's worst refugee crisis since World War II.

A cease-fire is far from certain. It would depend on the cooperation of hundreds of rebel groups that are battling the regime of President Bashar Assad, as well as Assad.

“The real test is whether or not all the parties honor those commitments and implement them,” Kerry said.

The cease-fire would not include the Islamic State and al-Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria. Both are terrorist groups that a U.S.-led coalition is battling in Syria and Iraq.

Russia and the U.S. are conducting independent air campaigns over Syria, but they are on opposite sides of the war, which also complicates any efforts to achieve a lasting cease-fire. Russia is backing Assad, while the U.S. wants the Syrian president to step aside and is aiding some rebel groups.

Russia says its airstrikes are aimed at terror groups, such as the Islamic State, but the Pentagon alleges that the Russian military campaign is aimed at helping Assad defeat all rebel groups, including those supported by the U.S.

The agreement comes as intensified airstrikes from Russia have bolstered Assad’s hold on power and as his military forces make headway in recapturing territory from opposition forces.

Syrian ground troops, backed by Russian airstrikes, have advanced on the major city of Aleppo, causing thousands of refugees to flee the city and triggering a new humanitarian crisis.

The United States had been pressing for an immediate cessation of hostilities at the talks, but Russia had argued for a cease-fire to start March 1, which would give Assad’s military more time to consolidate gains against the rebels.

Even if there is a cease-fire, both Russia and the U.S. said they would continue their air campaigns against terrorist groups in Syria.

(Source :usatoday.com)

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