Middle East

The US And Russia Have Agreed To Implement A Cease-Fire In Syria

The U.S., Jordan and Russia have agreed to implement a cease-fire in southern Syria starting July 9. Whether it will stick remains to be seen.

The US And Russia Have Agreed To Implement A Cease-Fire In Syria
Getty Images / Defne Karadeniz
Article by Jake Godin
SMS
July 7, 2017

The U.S. and Russia are finally on speaking terms again over the Syrian conflict.

Specifically, the two countries and Jordan agreed to a cease-fire in southern Syria. It'll take effect July 9.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russian military police as well as U.S. and Jordanian forces will "ensure security" in the de-escalation zone.

Fighting in Syria's southwest has largely been near the city of Daraa after rebels renewed an offensive to seize it from the government.

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The last time the U.S. helped implement a truce was last September, when former Secretary of State John Kerry and Lavrov agreed to set up a nationwide cease-fire. But it didn't take long to fall apart, and the U.S. eventually suspended diplomatic contacts with Russia over the Syria conflict.

Until now, the Trump administration has played a minimal role as peacemaker, at least publicly, between the Syrian government and the rebel factions that oppose it.

Instead, the U.S. has let Turkey, Iran and Russia attempt to hash out peace deals in Kazakhstan. The most recent round of talks came up short after all parties couldn't agree on how to finalize four proposed de-escalation zones in Syria.

Russia's had difficulty reining in the Syrian government in past cease-fire deals, so it remains to be seen if it can make sure there are no attacks after this one goes live.