The Syrian government and most opposition groups have agreed to a cease-fire during the weekend holiday of Eid al-Adha, but a lasting peace has anything but a guarantee.
UN peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi has stated he hopes the agreement to allow him to begin talks for a more permanent cease-fire. However, the Syrian foreign ministry has responded that the truce had not yet been agreed to and a response would be given on Thursday.
Rebels are quite split over the plan, and one jihadist group has straight up said they won’t be honoring the cease-fire.
The main opposition group, the Free Syrian Army (FSA), have said that they will honor any cease-fire the government likewise agrees to. The group however states that they believe the government will never be able to honor a truce, even if they say they will.
Meanwhile, Syrian state TV says a bomb exploded in Damascus, killing six and injuring twenty others.
After briefing the UN Security Council, Brahimi received approval of his plan. Russian diplomats, despite the Syrian foreign ministry’s lack of acknowledgement, have said they’ve received indications the Syrians will approve the plan.
But just as there are divisions of opinion amongst the rebels, so too there are from within the government. While politicians may agree to the cease-fire, the military may press on anyway.
The United Nations has made preparations for
Question: Do you think this cease-fire will take hold?