Russia declares “unilateral” ceasefire in Idlib
ARK News: Russia has announced that regime forces will start a “ceasefire” in Idlib, starting on Saturday.
The Russian Reconciliation Center of the Ministry of Defense said on Friday, 30 August, that a new unilateral ceasefire in Idlib will take effect from 6 am on August 31.
The Center asked the factions not to breach the ceasefire and join the agreement, while the Syrian regime or the factions fighting in Idlib have not commented on the Russian declaration so far.
On August 2, the guarantors of the Astana political process (Turkey, Iran, and Russia) announced that they had reached with the regime and opposition delegations a "conditional" truce agreement in the northwestern regions of Syria during the 13th round of the Astana talks.
The factions then agreed to a truce agreement, before the Syrian regime returned to announce the cancellation of the agreement and start military operations again, after accusing the opposition factions of violating the truce.
The regime then took control of the town of Khan Sheikhoun in the southern countryside of Idlib, as well as the northern enclave of Hama countryside, which includes a Turkish observation post in the city of Morik.
The Russian announcement follows the Syrian regime's complete takeover of the town of al-Tamaniha in the southern countryside of Idlib yesterday, after advancing to its surroundings and the siege on it from the north, east and south, in light of fears of arriving in the city of Maarat al-Numan.
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