Syria War
Heavy battles before the cease-fire in Syria
The UN special envoy Mistura on Friday to new peace talks for Syria invite. Prior to the Saturday scheduled cease-fire to fight all the warring parties, still violently to Geländegewinne.
With massive backing by the Russian air raids, the Syrian army strategically significant positions in the North of the country reconquered. So be it, after two days of fierce battles succeeded in Extremistenmiliz “Islamic state” (IS) from the city Chanaser approximately 50 kilometres Southeast of the embattled metropolis of Aleppo to distribute, students reported the Observatory for human rights and state media. Thus was an important Nachschublinie for the troops of President Bashar al-Assad’s free again.
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From the front lines of Syria
The army must have this connection, because insurgents attacked the main route to Aleppo further West control. The conquest of Chanaser by the IS two days ago, had a bit of pressure from the rebels in a combat zone. Commanders, Assad said the fight against IS and the Al-Nusra Front will, as in the agreed agreement on the cease-fire intended – with all the force continued.
The UN-Syriengesandte Staffan de Mistura on Friday a date for new peace talks of the conflicting parties to announce. On this day, it will also be a first Meeting of the ceasefire working group to give, gave Mistura in Geneva known. It was from the Syria-Unterstützergruppe formed, in addition to the major powers the major regional powers of the Middle East are represented.
Irritation to “Plan B” of the USA
Russia expressed itself, meanwhile, upset about the US-announced contingency plans in the event of a failure of the proposed truce. “The U.S. statements about the presence of something like a Plan B to give cause for concern,” said Deputy foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanow, according to news Agency Tass. The government in Moscow knew nothing about it. US Secretary of state John Kerry had on Tuesday said that there are “Plan B options” for the case that the cease-fire does not hold and the Phase of the political Transition, not start. This will be within days and weeks of knowledge and the consequences of action. On various occasions, was in Washington the possibility of a division of Syria have been discussed.
The US and Russia submitted proposal provides for a cease-fire starting Saturday. Most recently, the main opposition group, the High Verhandlungskomitee, willingness, the weapons rest.
Important ally of the West and opponent of the IS-jihadists: Kurdish fighters of the YPG
Both the Syrian Kurdenmiliz YPD as well as the Turkish government reaffirmed their commitment only to the cease-fire to hold, if they are not to be attacked. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said, took priority is always the safety of his country. “Ankara alone decides which measures are necessary”, said the head of government. The Turkish army had in the past weeks several times, the YPG fired, among other things, you accuse a private Kurdenstaat to aim for.
YPG spokesman Redur Xelil said the U.S.-Russian Plan have great importance. The Kurds in Syria would stick to it, when attacking but defend. The Kurdish militia, dominated large parts of the border region of Turkey and is an important Partner of the West in the fight against the IS jihadists.
SC/kle (afp, APE, rtr, dpa)