US, Russia recommit to Syria truce, 'continuous' aid

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON

The U.S. and Russia on Monday recommitted to a fragile truce in Syria, acknowledging the agreement’s uneven implementation.

“We believe our joint efforts have brought about a significant decrease in violence in the areas of North Latakia and East Ghouta. However, we also recognize the difficulties faced by the CoH in several areas of the country,” the countries said in a joint statement released by the State Department that used the acronym for the cessation of hostilities agreement.

“As a result, we have decided to reconfirm our commitment to the CoH in Syria and to intensify efforts to ensure its nation-wide implementation,” it added.

Brokered in February chiefly by Moscow and Washington, the truce called on Syria’s warring parties to immediately halt hostilities and sought to increase humanitarian access in the country. Al-Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate, Nusra Front, and Daesh were excluded from the agreement’s protections.

It had largely held until fighting erupted in Syria’s second city, Aleppo, in April amid a Syrian army buildup and rebel offensive.

In their statement, Russia and the U.S. said they would use their influence with the parties to urge adherence to the agreement.

It’s unclear how the Syrian government or the rebels will respond.

But, the statement said that Russia would work Damascus “to minimize aviation operations over areas that are predominantly inhabited by civilians or parties to the cessation.”

Part of the problem in implementing the agreement has been the Nusra Front’s presence among Syria’s rebels, particularly in Aleppo.

In the statement, the countries said that they would work toward developing a "shared understanding" of where Daesh and Nusra are operating, "and to consider ways to deal decisively against the threat posed by ISIL and the Nusra Front to Syria and international security."

A U.S. official speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to address the matter publicly, said Nusra is emphasized because it is "present in areas where they are proximate to civilians and/or parties to the cessation.

"The presence of Nusra has been a complicating factor," the official said. "While Nusra is excluded from the cessation, and therefore it is permissible to take action against them, you nonetheless are also required under the terms of this CoH to ensure any action you take does not harm civilians or parties to the cessation."

He added that he expects a local cease-fire in Aleppo to be extended beyond its expiration at midnight Damascus time Monday, but said that fighting in the southwest of the city may not die down for some time due to Nusra's presence.

"Fighting there shouldn't be seen as indicative of the cessation not being in effect or not being extended in Aleppo," he said. "In areas where Nusra is operating we may not see that right away."

In order to better facilitate humanitarian aid delivery, Russia and the U.S. said they would press the parties to “ensure continuous delivery of assistance” by land to the besieged towns of “Douma, East Harasta, Arbeen, Zamalka, Darayya, Zabadin, Fouah, Kafrayah, Madaya, Zabadani, Mouadhimiyeh, Yarmouk, Ein Terma, Hammura, Jisrein, Saqba, and Kafr Batna.”

Separately, airdrops will continue in the city of Deir ez-Zor for the 110,000 residents in need. Daesh has attacked and blockaded the eastern city for more than a year.

“In addition, we reaffirm the need for continuous deliveries to all locations considered by the UN to be hard-to-reach, such as al Waer, Talbisseh, al Rastan, and Afrin. We also recommend that the UN consider other locations that may meet the criteria for priority designations, including Nubul, Zahra, and Hasakeh,” the statement added.

Russia and the U.S. further recommitted efforts to reach a political settlement for Syria, and called for talks to resume.