MOSCOW, September 11. /TASS/. Reconciliation agreements were signed during the day with representatives of five settlements in Syria but terrorists continue their provocations, the Russian center for reconciliation of the warring parties said in its regular daily news bulletin posted on the Russian Defense Ministry’s official website on Sunday.
"During the day, reconciliation agreements were signed with representatives of five settlements in the province of Latakia. The number of settlements that joined the reconciliation process has reached 602," 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 Homs, Aleppo and al-Quneitra. "The number of illegal armed groups that declared their commitment to the ceasefire terms remains unchanged — 69," the bulletin says.
Ceasefire observation and provocations
According to the Russian center, the ceasefire regime has been generally observed over the day in most Syrian provinces, with six fire violations reported, including five in the Damascus province and one in the Latakia province. No air strikes were delivered by the Russian air group and the Syrian air force at armed opposition groups which have declared cessation of hostilities and informed the Russian or US reconciliation centers about their locations, as follows from the bulletin.
"Units of the Jaysh al-Islam group which affiliates itself with the opposition conducted mortar fire at the settlements of Hawsh-Douara, Jobar, Harasta, Douma and Arbil in the province of Damascus," the Russian center said.
Militants of the Ahrar al-Sham group shelled the settlement of Hamrat in the province of Latakia, as follows from the bulletin.
"Groups constituting the international terrorist organizations Jabhat al-Nusra and Islamic State (both outlawed in Russia) continue attempts to break down the regime of cessation of hostilities," the center said. "During the day, terrorists conducted fire from multiple missile launcher systems and mortars at Aleppo’s districts of Hai al-Ansari, Ramuri, a cement plant and the Castello trade center, and the settlement of Braij al-Rih in the province of Aleppo."
In the provinces of Damascus, terrorists conducted fire from mortars and hand anti-tank grenade launchers at the settlements of Hawsh al-Fara, Hawsh-Nasri, Jobar, a farm in the settlement of Khan al-Shih, an electricity plant and a medical service school in the settlement of Harasta. Apart from that, the settlements of Maharda and Kawkab in the province of Hama and the settlement of Etbaa in the province of Daraa came under shelling, according to the bulletin.
Humanitarian assistance
A total of 12 tonnes of humanitarian cargoes — sugar, flour, rice, canned meat and fish, tea and medicines — were delivered to low-income families in the settlement of Qalaat al-Hosn in the province of Homs, the Russian center reported. Hot meals and living essentials distribution outlets are still open for civilians leaving Aleppo’s neighborhoods controlled by illegal armed groups.
Russian reconciliation center
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.