AhlulBayt News Agency - The recently brokered ceasefires between the government and rebel forces in the Latakia and Damascus governorates began at 1 A.M. (Damascus Time) 30th April, putting a brief end to the violence that has engulfed these provinces.
"The Russian and US sides in concurrence with the Syrian leadership introduced a ‘regime of silence’ in northern part of Latakia Province from 12:01am local time on April 30, 2016,” Lieutenant General Sergey Kuralenko said on Friday as cited by TASS. “During this period, conducting warfare and use of all types of weaponry will be forbidden,” he explained.
In rural Damascus, the ceasefire between the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Jaysh Al-Islam (Army of Islam) was agreed upon for 24 hours; this specifically take place in the East Ghouta region.
Kuralenko called on all parties interested in the peace in Syria “to support Russian-American initiative and not allow the disruption of the ‘regime of silence’.”
He said that more and more communities are joining the ceasefire, not observed by such terror groups as so-called Islamic State (IS, Deash, formerly ISIS/ISIL) and Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al-Nusra Front.
Seventy-four towns and villages from Homs, Hama, Damask, Daraa and Aleppo Provinces have contacted the Russian Center for Reconciliation to confirm they desire to end hostilities, Kuralenko said.
The Syrian Arab Army, backed by Hezbollah, was on the offensive before the ceasefire agreement was put in place last-night – they have been ordered to withdraw from Al-Rukabiyah for the time being.
Meanwhile, in the Latakia Governorate, the ceasefire between the Syrian Arab Army and Free Syrian Army (FSA) has briefly put an end to the recent offensive launched by the former at the town of Kabani.
The Latakia ceasefire is set to expire in 72 hours.
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