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Conflict in Syria

Kremlin spokesman explains why ceasefire in Eastern Ghouta is impossible

Eastern Ghouta is included in one of the de-escalation zones

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov Mikhail Metzel/TASS

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov

© Mikhail Metzel/TASS

MOSCOW, November 28. /TASS/. Clashes with terrorists continue in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta, which is why it is impossible to declare a ceasefire there, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Read also

Terrorists’ downfall close at hand but US reluctant to leave Syria — top brass

"Clashes with terrorists continue there," he said when asked if a ceasefire could be declared in the area. "There have been no clashes with the armed opposition, it is terrorists from ISIL [the former name of the Islamic State terror group outlawed in Russia - TASS] who are active there," he stressed.

"An operation against terrorists goes on, there is no way to make a ceasefire agreement with ISIL," the Kremlin spokesman added.

According to Syria’s SANA news agency, on Thursday, militants active in Eastern Ghouta on the outskirts of Damascus fired shells at the city center, killing six and leaving 35 wounded.

Eastern Ghouta is included in one of the de-escalation zones established in compliance with an agreement made by the guarantors of the Syrian ceasefire - Russia, Iran and Turkey - on May 4. The Syrian army command announced a cessation of military activities in the area on July 22, but, according to SANA, militant groups have been violating the ceasefire, shelling the country’s capital.

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