109 killed and not less than 591 breaches
SNHR issued its 16th report that documented the violations of the truce which started on Saturday, February 27. It recorded 32 breaches including 20 breaches through military attacks, 19 breaches of them were by government forces, and one breach by alleged Russian forces. As the government forces committed 11 breaches through arrest, and one breaches through obstruction of medical and food aid to Al Wa’er neighborhood in Homs. The total of breaches was 591 breaches since the beginning of the truce in February 27.
The violations through military attacks caused the death of 4 members of armed opposition groups.
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 and several UNSC resolutions some of them are under articleVII of the United Nation 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 strain disaster, however, it resorts to unproductive solutions. The solution is in real contribution that 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 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 did not include any military attacks 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.
The report presented the distribution of the violations through military attacks, according to Syrian governorates, as follows: 8 breaches in Damascus suburb, 6 breaches in Lattakia 2 breaches in each of Daraa and Aleppo and one breach in Idlib at the hand of government forces. While the alleged Russian forces committed one breach in Lattakia.
The distribution of breaches through arrests was as follows: 4 breaches in Damascus, 2 breaches in Damascus suburb, 3 breaches in Aleppo and 2 breaches in Homs.
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.