Russia warns Al-Assad not to violate ceasefire in Syria

The Russian Centre for reconciliation between opposing sides in Syria has called on the regime of Syrian President, Bashar Al- Assad to fully adhere to the ceasefire.

Media outlets reported that Russia has informed the Syrian regime leadership that “violating” the ceasefire was “unacceptable”.

Russia’s Novosti News Agency reported a senior official at the centre as saying that “the parties to the conflict have generally abided by the ceasefire which came into force on 29 December, but the centre’s leadership is concerned over violations which occur from time to time by the Syrian government forces”.

The official added that the Russian Centre’s observers have documented a daily average of six violations by the Assad regime, and that a few days ago, Russia reminded the Syrian military leadership of the importance that certain leaders in the Syrian army must respect the agreements that have been reached, and the need not to violate them.

The Russian warnings come as talks between the Syrian regime and opposition kicked off on Monday in the Kazakh capital, Astana, to resolve the crisis in Syria.