Syria declares 48-hour cease-fire in Daraa
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 17 June 2017 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Syria declares 48-hour cease-fire in Daraa, 17 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59818def13.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 17, 2017 18:38 GMT
Syrians ride a motorcycle amid the destruction in a neighborhood in the rebel-held area of Daraa in April.
The Syrian Army has declared a 48-hour cease-fire in its operations against antigovernment rebels around the southern city of Daraa.
The army said the cease-fire started at 12 p.m. local time on June 17 and described the move as a bid "to support efforts for national reconciliation."
The independent London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the same day that the cease-fire seemed to be holding.
The U.S. State Department issued a statement welcoming the development and calling for the opposition to also enforce a cease-fire so that humanitarian aid can reach civilians.
The Syrian Army and Iran-backed militias have stepped up efforts to capture the rebel-held parts of Daraa in recent weeks.
Also on June 17, the United Nations announced a further round of peace talks between the government and forces fighting against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Geneva on July 10.
Moscow also announced it hopes to organize another round of talks in the Kazakh capital, Astana, on July 4-5.
The 6-year-old Syrian conflict has left hundreds of thousands dead and driven more than 11 million people from their homes.
Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and dpa
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
