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At this very moment a partial ceasefire is due to come into effect across Syria. It has been negotiated by the US and Russia and agreed to by the Syrian regime and key opposition fighters. But there are serious doubts about whether this break in the violence will hold.
Here’s what we’re watching for:
Is Russia serious? Or will it keep bombing hospitals, homes and markets? Since joining the fighting in support of the Assad regime in September, Russia has become the number one killer of civilians in Syria. If it continues to bombard civilian areas while claiming to be fighting Isis the ceasefire won’t last a day.[1]
Are sieges being broken? A million people are living under starvation sieges.[2] The terms of the ceasefire state that immediate and open access should be granted to UN aid trucks. We will be monitoring whether these get into besieged areas, and if not, why not.
Here’s how we’re doing it:
We’re launching a transparent online hub where we are collecting reports from trusted humanitarians across the country on any possible violations. You can track the developments here over the coming days:
www.syriaceasefiremonitor.org
Whatever happens let’s make all parties to the fighting know we’re watching.
Anna
NOTES
[1] Newsweek: Russia killed more civilians than Assad or Isis in Januaryhttp://europe.newsweek.com/russia-has-killed-more-syrian-civilians-assad-or-isis-last-month-report-426775
[2] Break The Sieges - www.breakthesieges.org
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