MOSCOW, March 14. /TASS/. The regime of the cessation of hostilities in Syria has been violated 14 times over the past 24 hours, including 5 times — in Latakia, 5 times — in Daraa, 2 times — in Aleppo and once — in Damascus and Hama each, says a press release posted on the Russian Defense Ministry’s website on Monday.
"The Ahrar al-Sham group that considers itself opposition has opened mortar fire on the settlements of Klyaba Kinsiba and Jabal-Alakaya (Latakia province)," the release says.
According to the Defense Ministry, artillery fire was opened in the Damascus province by unidentified armed groups on the settlements of Daheya Al-Assad, Nurs and Dur Al-Balad.
Elders in 5 populated localities in Hama province preliminarily agree to truce
The Center for reconciliation of the warring parties in Syria have reached preliminary truce agreements with the elders of 5 populated localities in Syria’s Hama province, a Russian Defense Ministry source told journalists on Monday.
"Over the past 24 hours, preliminary truce agreements have been reached with the elders of 5 populated localities in Hama province. A working meeting has been held with representatives of initiative groups in three settlements in Al Quneitra province," the Defense Ministry said.
The number of populated localities whose heads have agreed to a ceasefire remains unchanged - 44.
"Negotiations will continue with the leaders of six armed units operating in the Damascus and Al Quneitra provinces," the Russian Defense Ministry source said adding the reconciliation center and the six leaders had discussed conditions for the truce and for singing the ceasefire agreements.
"The number of armed units, which pledged to accept and implement the conditions of cessation of hostilities, remains unchanged - 42," the Russian Defense Ministry said.
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The ceasefire regime between the Syrian government forces and armed opposition groups came into force from 00:00 (01:00, Moscow time) on February 27. Ceasefire is not applicable to the terrorist groups Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra, as well as other formations recognized by the UN Security Council as terrorist.
An hour before the ceasefire came into force, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution in support of cessation of hostilities in Syria. The document was initiated by Russia and the United States and won support from all the 15 members of the United Nations Security Council. United Nations Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, told a briefing after the United Nations Security Council meeting that 97 armed groups in Syria had accepted the ceasefire terms.
According to the Russian military, the ceasefire regime in generally observed, but occasional violations of the regime have been recorded since the ceasefire regime came into force.