The US-Russia-brokered ceasefire for South Syria is a step in the right direction. More than 48 hours after the ceasefire came into effect in southwestern Syria along its border with Israel and Jordan, it appears to be holding out. No air strikes or clashes have been reported in the three provinces of Daraa, Quneitra and Suweida since Sunday. Announcement of the ‘de-escalation agreement’ came after a meeting between the US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in Hamburg.
The Syrian regime has been brought on board, with the head of Syria’s parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee confirming that the agreement was negotiated in consultation with Damascus. Laying out parameters for American push for the move, US National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster said that the US is committed to helping towards ending the conflict in Syria, and that this agreement would be an “important step towards common goals”. The area in question is largely controlled by Western-backed rebels and forms the axis of the insurgency south of Damascus. Ironically this is not the first attempt by outside powers to broker peace in the war-ravaged country.
Other ceasefires have collapsed in the past and it is hard to predict at this moment if the main combatants — Syrian regime forces and the rebels in the southwest — will stay committed to this latest effort. Be that as it may, the latest development has raised expectation for the fresh round of UN-sponsored peace talks on Syria, with a senior UN official noting that the latest ceasefire has already created a positive momentum. Apart from creating a suitable atmosphere for talks, the agreement also shows that Russia and the US are capable of working together in Syria — for the time being. Previously Syrian President Bashar Al Assad had baulked at the idea of US monitoring four de-escalation zones (Idlib, Homs, East Ghouta in Damascus and southern Syria).
With the new deal, US and Russia (along with Jordan) will have to work out crucial aspects of the agreement, including who will monitor its enforcement. Seen in the Syrian frame of reference, the agreement could lead to improvement of political process in the country. A successful ceasefire can also see other areas in Syria following similar agreements to reduce violence. The country desperately needs it. More than 320,000 people have been killed in one of the most vicious conflicts of our times, with 11 million Syrians forced from their homes. This mayhem needs to end and a ceasefire may just be the first step towards that.
