Blame-trading tests Syria’s fragile truce

Key players in Syria’s war traded accusations Sunday over violations of the first major ceasefire in the five-year conflict, but the truce remained largely intact on its second day.  The main opposition grouping Sunday described the ceasefire as “positive” but lodged a formal complaint with the United Nations and foreign governments about first day breaches.

We have violations here and there, but in general it is a lot better than before and people are comfortable.

Salem al-Meslet, spokesman for the Saudi-backed High Negotiations Committee

An HNC letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon accused Syria’s regime and its allies of committing “24 violations with artillery shelling and five ground operations… in 26 areas held by the moderate opposition”. Saudi Arabia, a staunch opponent of Syrian President Bashar Assad, also accused Russia of flouting the ceasefire and targeting “moderate opposition” groups. While Russia, which has waged a five-month bombing campaign to support Assad, blamed “moderate” rebels and jihadists for nine ceasefire violations, including from Turkish territory. A successful truce would also create a more favorable backdrop for peace talks that collapsed in acrimony in early February.

Things will become clearer in the coming days on whether the regime and Russia are serious or not about the ceasefire.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir

Syria ceasefire