Russia, US pledge adherence to Syria truce

Russia and the United States have confirmed their commitment to an existing ceasefire in Syria and intend to intensify their efforts to ensure its implementation.

Moscow, which co-chairs the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) together with Washington, in a joint statement on Monday called on warring parties in Syria to "cease any indiscriminate attacks on civilians, including civilian infrastructure and medical facilities."

According to the statement, Moscow also pledged to work with the Syrian government "to minimize aviation operations over areas that are predominantly inhabited by civilians or parties to the cessation."

"As a result, we have decided to reconfirm our commitment to the CoH (cessation of hostilities) in Syria and to intensify efforts to ensure its nation-wide implementation. We also intend to enhance efforts to promote humanitarian assistance to all people in need in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254."

The statement added: "In order to maintain the effectiveness of the CoH, the co-chairs are committed to undertaking efforts to develop a shared understanding of the threat posed, and territory controlled, by ISIL [Daesh] and the Nusra Front, and to consider ways to deal decisively against the threat posed by ISIL (Daesh) and Nusra Front to Syria and international security."

The truce, brokered by Russia and the United States, went into effect late February in a bid to facilitate negotiations between warring sides to the conflict.

SS