Damascus, fragile truce between the army and rebels for the Muslim festival of sacrifice
Damascus
(AsiaNews / Agencies) - A cease-fire has entered into force in Syria for a
period of four days between the Damascus army and opposition rebels to
celebrate Eid al-Adha, the Muslim festival of sacrifice. However,
the military leadership warns that - despite the fragile truce - it will not
hesitate to respond in case of insurgent attacks. And
al-Jazzera recently claimed that the army fired to disperse a demonstration,
causing four deaths.
The
brief suspension of the conflict for the Islamic feast was proposed by the UN
and the Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, who has not lost the hope in
launching a serious peace process that could lead to the end of the conflict
and increased democratization
of the country.
The
truce for Eid al-Adha began this morning at 6 am local time, according to
Syrian television, and is the latest attempt (the others have failed so far) to
stop the conflict even just for a few days. The
festival commemorates the sacrifice of Abraham, who in order to please the
divine commandment, was prepared to kill his son, but after the intervention of
the angel killed a ram in his place. This
festival symbolizes faith, submission and total and undisputed obedience to God
in Islam.
Yesterday,
the rebels advanced to reach some areas of the city of Aleppo in northern Syria,
the second largest city in the country, as well as a symbol of war and
essential battlefield to decide the fate of the conflict. Meanwhile,
the armed forces of Damascus issued a statement in which they confirm that
"military operations" will be suspended 26 to 29 October.
Washington
has welcomed the truce, while the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon calls for
ceasefire that may lead to real political negotiations. The
UN agency for refugees is ready to send supplies and emergency equipment to
thousands of families who live in areas that have become a battleground and
hitherto inaccessible. The
International Committee of the Red Cross adds that if the truce "holds
up", it will also send aid to the Syrian people suffering because of the
war.
The
revolt against the government of President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011.
According
to activists, the conflict has killed more than 35 thousand people, the United
Nations' rough estimate is of 20 thousand victims. Witnesses
and activists report that yesterday in Aleppo the Syrian army abandoned
military installations in the Christian district of al- Seryan, and in the
nearby Kurdish majority of Ashrafiyeh. A
rebel spokesman was quoted as saying that the opponents of the regime in
Damascus have taken over the south-western districts of al-Din and
Suleiman al-Halabi.
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14/10/2016 14:24
10/03/2016 10:00
