SNHR issued its first report about the ceasefire agreement in Syria and its respective breaches. The ceasefire which started on 27 February 2016 resulted so far with 14 breaches committed by government forces.
Syrian government forces and its Russian ally took advantage of the ceasefire and escalated its shelling and military operations in several regions in Aleppo. SNHR recorded not less than 3 attacks that were believed to be Russian in the final hours before the ceasefire started in Kabtan Al Jabal and Al Saloum town and Darat Ezza city in Aleppo suburbs. Also, SNHR documented the killing 16 civilians and material damages in medical facilities. On the other hand, government forces continued to shell the cities of Daraya, Zamalka, and Deir Assafier in Damascus suburbs.
The report questioned this ceasefire and its outcomes. As the Syrian regime has violated and breached several UNSC resolutions and it was not held accountable.
Fadel Abdul Ghani, head of SNHR, said:
“The international community, represented by the UNSC, knows exactly what it should do to end this circle of violence, however, it resorts to unproductive solutions. The report stated that Syrians need a political transition that would transform the ruling to a democratic one. After Geneva 1, it was clear that the bloodshed is not going to end and state administrations will be doomed to failure. ISIL and Iranian militias are filling the space the corrupted Syrian government left. Syrian people are with any agreement or resolution that would end the cycle of violence and massacres in Syria.”
Concerning the statement itself, the Syrian regime and its Russian accomplice can strike regions under the control of armed opposition in northern of Syria under the pretext of the presence Al Nusra front, even if it is extremely limited, without breaching the ceasefire.
SNHR team documented these breaches as it is the bare minimum of what they were able to document. Also it is worth noting that they did not record any improvement in the detainees’ situation or releases by all main conflict parties.
According to the report, 4 breaches took place in Daraa and Damascus suburbs, 2 in Homs and Idlib, 1 in each of Lattakia and Damascus. 15 individuals were killed in addition to 13 armed opposition members.
The report asked the joint American and Russian committee to investigate these incidents, announce its results to the Syrian people and prevent it from happening again. It also demanded the international community to correlate the ceasefire with political efforts that would pave the way towards a transitional stage that would result in a democratic regime, which will end the suffering of the Syrian people.