Opinion: After the Ceasefire, Joy Did Not Come
Walid al-Bunni for the Syrian Observer
January 9, 2017
Russia is not serious in its wish to impose a ceasefire, Walid al-Bunni argues
Russia is not serious in its wish to impose a ceasefire, Walid al-Bunni argues
Lebanese militia stopped Russian engineers from entering the area outside the capital after negotiators reached an agreement with locals, sources claim
FSA rebels threaten to abandon new truce deal if Russia does not halt Assad regime attacks on civilians near the capital Damascus
The government forces and their allies including Lebanese Hezbollah have been trying to press advances, particularly in an area northwest of Damascus in the rebel-held Wadi Barada valley
In the wake of Aleppo’s fall and the upcoming peace talks in Geneva, Moscow moves to obtain the upper hand on Tehran and Hezbollah in securing its interests in Syria
Tensions rise between the two key powers as Russia issues firm statement warning any side of retaliation if warring parties attempt to obstruct the evacuation of locals
Will Iran spend 2017, which is fast approaching, fighting to take over the remaining Syrian towns including the Damascus countryside which is still partly under the control of the rebels?
‘Whatever the nations friendly to the revolution or opposed to it thought, and whatever were the errors carried out by the revolutionaries, and whatever the level of force which will be brandished against them to compel them to leave the city, it seems this will not push them to bow’
The special envoys for Syria from the Netherlands, the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Sweden, Denmark and Germany urge for a cease-fire in Aleppo and the access of humanitarian aid
De Mistura denied his intention to resign from his post, expecting Obama and Putin will continue their efforts to reduce the level of violence and to increase humanitarian aid till President-elect Donald Trump takes office early next year
The push by Assad and his allies to achieve decisive victories before the end of Obama’s term, and the beginning of an unpredictable Trump presidency, could explain the brutality which they are employing against Aleppo, the Damascus countryside, and the eastern and western Ghoutas
I do not believe that there is a single Syrian citizen who does not feel angry at how President Obama’s administration has dealt with what is occurring in their country. Therefore, I do not imagine that they will really regret Obama’s departure, despite the alternative which will come to replace it.
The advent of Trump to the presidency is likely to draw the curtain on this era, which requires relying more than before on subjective factors, and inventing means of resistance which are less costly to the revolution, and less dependent on external support
Syrian President Bashar al Assad said on Tuesday Damascus would have to “wait and see” if U.S. President-elect Donald Trump would change Washington’s policy on Syria but that he was ready to cooperate with him in fighting militants. Following is the full text, as published in SANA
An increase in state repression and random violence has contributed to the spread of “war commanders” and the occurrence of a coup in social segments to the benefit of the emerging “new guard” of businessmen
When we speak of Baghdadi, we speak of every charlatan in our region who succeeds in deceiving a great number of people with medieval discourse focusing on the benefits of jihad, and adorns death for his followers by considering it the easiest path to reach an eternal life of joy
Representatives meet in Syrian capital to discuss regional situation and enhancing bilateral relations
Economic support from friends like Iran and Russia has bolstered efforts by Syrians’ to fight terrorism for over six years, says Syrian deputy FM
Despite the implementation of the “four cities” agreement, it is not possible to compare — in any sense at all — the siege of Zabadani and Madaya which are under opposition control, and the siege of Kefraya and Foua which are under the control of the regime and its militias
19-year-old Kassem Shamkha killed while repulsing an attack by gunmen in western Aleppo, according to source close to Hezbollah
