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Russian reconciliation center reports 11 ceasefire violations in Syria in past day

The overall number of Syrian settlements that have joined the reconciliation process has reached 1,276

MOSCOW, February 26. /TASS/. Russian specialists reported 11 ceasefire violations in Syria in the past day, the Russian center for reconciliation of the warring parties in Syria said in its regular daily news bulletin posted on the official website of the Russian defense ministry on Sunday.

"During the day, Russian officers in the Russian-Turkish joint commission set up to monitor ceasefire violations in Syria reported 11 ceasefire violations, including three in the province of Damascus, three - in the province of Latakia, four - in the province of Hama, and one - in the province of Homs," the center said.

Turkish officers reported 12 ceasefire violations, including three - in the province of Damascus, and five - in the province of Homs, the center said, adding that the Russian side confirmed only one ceasefire violation, with no confirmation found to the remaining 11.

Apart from that, according to the Russian center, the settlement of Dahiyat al-Assad in the province of Damascus joined ceasefire in the past day. Thus, the overall number of Syrian settlements that have joined the reconciliation process has reached 1,276. The number of armed groups that declared their commitment to the ceasefire terms of the agreement on cessation of hostilities remains unchanged - 110, as follows from the bulletin.

Syria’s government troops regained control of an area of 28.5 square kilometers during the day. In all, an overall area of some 2,000 square kilometers has been liberated since January 1, 2017. The number of settlements liberated by Syrian government troops from Islamic State groups since January 1, 2017 has reached 63.

The nationwide ceasefire came into force across Syria at midnight on December 30, 2016 under the agreement on a complex solution to the Syria crisis. Syrian government forces and groups of armed opposition with an overall strength of more than 60,000 have joined the agreement. Russia and Turkey act as the ceasefire guarantors. Ceasefire does not cover terrorist groups, such as Islamic State.

The Russian Defense Ministry declared the establishment of the reconciliation center on February 23, 2016. It is headquartered at the Hmeimim air base, Latakia province. The center was set up in line with agreements reached by Russia and the United States to facilitate the negotiations between the Syrian government and opposition and to organize humanitarian deliveries.