Syria declares 'regime of calm' in two major areas

Syria is planning to enforce a "regime of calm" in two major urban areas as militant attacks in the northwestern city of Aleppo kill over a dozen people despite an agreement for the cessation of hostilities.

According to Press TV, a statement from the Syrian Army General Command said on Friday that the regime of calm, or a “silent period” as referred to by its Arabic term, will be enforced in parts of Latakia and Damascus regions from 1:00 a.m. (2200 GMT) on April 30.

The partial ceasefire, which lasts for 24 hours in the Eastern Ghouta region east of Damascus and inside the capital, and for 72 hours in areas of the northern Lattakia countryside, does not include the city of Aleppo where terrorist attacks have escalated over the past few days.

“This is in order to sever the road for some terrorist groups and their supporters, who strive to prolong this state of tension and instability and to find pretexts to target peaceful civilians,” said the statement, which was read by Syrian state TV.

It was not clear whether all militant groups would respect the unilateral declaration, although some hailed it as a positive step.

“This is the first step to recover the reconciliation and it is very important,” said Qadri Jamil, a Syrian opposition figure and one of the leaders of the Syrian Popular Front for Change and Liberation, claiming that Aleppo will be also included in the deal.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Thursday that at least 49 civilians had been reportedly killed in rocket attacks carried out by foreign-backed militants in the government-held areas of the city of Aleppo over the previous six days.

SS