Another Ceasefire Deal Reached in Syria’s Daraa al-Balad

For the third time in about a month, a ceasefire deal has been reached in Daraa al-Balad. The city has been rebel-filled throughout Syria’s war, and surrounded by the Syrian Army for some time. Deals have been meant to end the siege of the city, and either move the rebels elsewhere, or at least disarm them.

The deal to disarm the rebels collapsed when the rebels only turned in a few already-broken guns. The second deal, busing the rebels to Idlib, failed when the rebels refused to get on the bus.

The newest deal, negotiated by Russia, will see Russian MPs enter the city and deal with the weapons and certain wanted rebels. The siege will be ended and certain detainees freed.

The fact that both other deals failed within 24 hours certainly raises questions as to whether this one will fare any better, though locals who’ve been dealing with siege and shortages will no doubt hope something will stick.