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Ceasefire observed in most Syrian provinces — Russia’s reconciliation center

The number of settlements joining the reconciliation process has reached 259

MOSCOW, July 26 /TASS/. Most Syrian provinces have observed the ceasefire regime over the past 24 hours. There have been six violations in Damascus and Latakia provinces, the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria said in an information bulletin published at the Russian Defense Ministry website.

"Units placing themselves with the Jaish al-Islam opposition group have opened mortar fire at the Haush al-Fara, Al-Nashabiyah, Arbil, Dzhaubar and Duma villages in Damascus province. Armed units from the Ahrar al-Sham terrorist group have shelled the village of Karura in Latakia province," the Russian reconciliation center said.

The Russian Aerospace Troops and the Syrian Air Force have delivered no air strikes at the paramilitary units, which have joined the ceasefire regime and have informed the Russian or American reconciliation centers of their exact location.

The information bulletin noted that terrorist organizations like Jebhat al-Nusra or the Islamic State (both banned in Russia) continue obstructing the final establishment of the ceasefire regime.

"Terrorists have shelled the Sheikh Maqsud neighborhood in Aleppo from self-made artillery guns and mortar launchers over the past 24 hours. The Tell Jobegja populated locality have also come under fire," the bulletin said adding that terrorists had shelled several populated areas in Damascus and Hama provinces.

Reconciliation agreements

Reconciliation agreements were signed during the day with representatives of 41 settlements in the Syrian provinces of Latakia (17), al-Suwayda (15), Hama (7) and Homs (2). 

"The number of settlements joining the reconciliation process has reached 259," the center said.

"Talks on joining the regime of cessation of hostilities were continued with field commanders of armed opposition groups in the provinces of Daraa, al-Quneitra and Homs. The number illegal armed groups that declared their commitment to the ceasefire terms remains unchanged - 61," the center said.

Humanitarian aid

Apart from that, according to the Russian center, more humanitarian aid was delivered to Syrian population. Five tons of humanitarian cargoes, mostly flour, rice, canned meat and fish, were delivered to low-income families in the settlement of Al-Awer in the province of Hama. A total of 21 tons of United Nations humanitarian cargoes were dropped from a Russian Abakan Air plane to the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor besieged by Islamic State terrorists, as follows from the bulletin.

A ceasefire regime brokered by Russia and the United States on February 22 officially came into effect in Syria at midnight Damascus time on February 27. This does not cover terrorist groups such as Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra, both outlawed in Russia, and other groups recognized as terrorist by the United Nations Security Council.

An hour before the ceasefire came into force, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution in support 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.

The Russian reconciliation center aims to assist armed groups in Syria in concluding ceasefire agreements, maintain the truce regime, control its observance and organize the delivery of humanitarian cargoes to civilians.