A collection of newly released documents related to the Syrian ceasefire, as well as the planned Kazakhstan peace talk, shed some new light on the detail, including repeated rebel claims that the government is violating the ceasefire by attacking al-Qaeda’s Nusra Front.
While indications were in the terms of the deal itself “UN-designed terrorist organizations” were excluded from the deal, which provided some room to argue Nusra, having changed their name, is “different” now, the documents underscored that Nusra was never intended to be part of the ceasefire.
The documents further revealed 13 rebel factions signed on to a plan for peace talks, even though the plan did not include regime change as a precondition. The rebel Ahrar al-Sham insisted they were not among the signatories, and regime change had to happen for any peace talks.
Other documents revealed Turkey and Russia took equal responsibilities as guarantors of the ceasefire, and that both sides agreed to prevent advances into any new territory during the ceasefire. This remains a matter of some contention, as some rebels argue that the military’s push against Nusra amounts to taking new territory. It isn’t clear if the ban covers territory belonging to non-participants, as Turkey has similarly tried to capture ISIS territory since the ceasefire, and there hasn’t been any claim that would be a violation.
This article is very helpfull — as it moves beyond the unfounded claims by Al-Nusra and its affiliates claiming rights to participation in peace talks. The claims then fortified by their claims of not accepting the terms. This transparent piece of baazar-level misinformation was then taken up by much of the western media. What a joke.
Even though the information on the cease fire and peace conference has been available earlier, for some reason it has been ignored. This is a good start in getting past the muddle.
There are still big chunks of disinformation flying about everywhere.
Example is a position of Ahrar Al-Sham on the peace process. Their Al-Nusra association is known, so I do not see how is their objection –or any other Al-Nusra associates — of ANY relevance. They are EXCLUDED by UN — and the guarantors of the process — Russia and Turkey –need not answer to any of their objections. This SHOULD be technically the political positions of ALL Security Council members — but as we see daily, all Western media is still giving impression that objections by EXCLUDED parties are somehow relevant to the peace process.
Singling them out –as objecting to Assad’s role, if any — is making it SOUND like they somehow represent a view of other groups — even those that signed up to the procces. MUDDING the issues, off course.
Same misinformation is then carried over to the question of cease fire monitoring — by the way, KEY DOCUMENT signed by all participating Islamic groups. The document spells out the prohibition of expanding territory, and the agreed upon process for monitoring.
Claiming that somehow ISIS and Al-Nusra (and their affiliates) have a right to be protected under the ceasefire document — does not pass the straight face test. The whole point of excluding them is — to keep fighting against them, and — yes — take their territory.
The amount of anguish still emoting from Western media over Al-Nusra affiliate taking over control of water source that supplies Aleppo –is nothing short of ASTONISHING. Poisonig water supply with oil-based products –is a crime performed by deranged human beings for which there is no excuse. Yet, leave it to Western media to find the way to excuse them, and blame government.
It may be helpfull to start distinguishing the groups that are part of the procces, and those that are identified as international terrorists, that continue to be the target.
. Russia is earning a reputation as a strong referee in Mid East squabbles. Which is why the Israel Lobby hates Russia so – the last thing that they want is for a neutral and strong referee getting themselves into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.. The Lobby needs a real “homey” calling balls and strikes there, and the US has shamelessly filled that role for years.