How Ceasefires in Syria Became Another Tool of Warfare

The ceasefire declared in Syria at the end of 2016 has already practically collapsed. This is not surprising. No ceasefire in Syria has so far managed to hold long enough to pave the way for meaningful peace talks. This is not because the Syrian opposition hasn't taken ceasefires seriously, but because the regime of Bashar al-Assad and its allies have re-defined ceasefires.

In Syria, ceasefires have become another tool of warfare. They are tools for making military gains, political statements, and playing power games.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Statement by the High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on the announcement of a cessation of hostilities in Syria http://www.europeansources.info/record/statement-by-the-high-representative-vice-president-federica-mogherini-on-the-announcement-of-a-cessation-of-hostilities-in-syria/

Chatham House: Analysis, March 2018: Stop Falling for Assad’s Bogus Ceasefires https://syria.chathamhouse.org/research/stop-falling-for-assads-bogus-ceasefires

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