The Killing of 64 individuals and not less than 312 breaches since the ceasefire started
SNHR issued its 9th report that documented the violations of the truce which started on Saturday, February 27. SNHR recorded 23 breaches which included 9 breaches through military attacks by government forces, and 14 breaches through arrests by government forces and Kurdish self-management forces. The total of breaches was 312 since the beginning of the truce in February 27.
The report documented the killing of two members of armed opposition groups at the hand of government forces.
The report questioned the future of the ceasefire since it is sponsored by Russian and the USA only. As it is known, Russia cannot take that part since it is a loyal ally to the Syrian regime and one of its supporters. The Syrian regime has violated several UNSC resolutions some are under article VII of the United States and it was not held accountable.
Fadel Abdul Ghani, head of SNHR, stated that: “The international community, represented by the UNSC, knows exactly what it should do to end the Syrian disaster, however, it resorts to unproductive solutions. The solution is in real contribution to lead a political transition that would transform the ruling to a democratic one. We have previously said that all initiatives after Geneva 1, increase the bloodshed and lead to a gap in state administrations. Iranian militias first then ISIL are filling this gap. We are with any agreement or resolution that would end the killing and destruction in Syria.”
The report indicated that concerning the truce’ statement itself that 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.
The report observed the bare minimum of violations according to SNHR methodology and obtain information from two different sources for each incident. The report showed the military attacks by all those bound by the truce (government forces, Russian forces, Kurdish self-management forces, and armed opposition groups) in regions under the control of armed opposition and in regions that are controlled by joint forces of Al Nusra front and the armed opposition groups. The report also did not include any military operations in regions under ISIL’s control.
The report did not record any releases cases of women or children by any conflict parties. While many regions are still besieged like the northern suburb of Homs city.
According to the report the breaches through military attacks distributed according to governorates as follows: 4 breaches in Damascus suburbs, two breaches in each of Daraa, Lattakia and one breach in Homs.
The breaches through arrests by government forces distributed as follows: 2 breaches in each of the following: Hama, Lattakia, Deir Al Zour, Damascus and its suburb. The breaches through arrests by Kurdish self-management distributed as follows: 1 breach in Al Hasaka and 3 breaches in Aleppo.
The report recommended the joint American and Russian committee to investigate those incidents, announce the results to the Syrian people and prevent it from happening again.
The report 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.
The report indicated that if breaches are still being committed, then that fragile ceasefire may fail at any moment. Since USA is a major advocate for the agreement, then it should persuade the Russian government to cease its airstrikes and pressure its ally the Syrian government to do so.