Doubts over Syria ceasefire as Russia keeps bombing and Assad vows to fight on

World

Doubts over Syria ceasefire as Russia keeps bombing and Assad vows to fight on

Although billed as a potential breakthrough, the “cessation of hostilities” agreed by world powers in Munich left out the Islamic State group and al-Qaida’s local branch, leaving analysts to doubt its viability. The agreement also does not take effect for a week, at a time when President Bashar Assad’s government is poised to win its biggest victory of the war with the backing of Russian airpower. As Russia pressed on with its relentless bombing in support of its ally, Assad himself vowed to fight on until he regains full control of the country. Analysts are skeptical the deal will stop the bloodshed.

Several Western countries said there was no hope for progress without a halt to the Russian bombing, which has decisively turned the balance of power in favor of Assad. Another week of fighting would give the Damascus government and its allies time to press on with the encirclement of Aleppo, Syria’s biggest city before the war, which they are now on the verge of capturing. They are also close to sealing the Turkish border, lifeline of rebel territory for years. Those two victories would reverse years of insurgent gains, effectively ending the rebels’ hopes of dislodging Assad through force, the cause they have fought for since 2011 with the encouragement of Arab states, Turkey and the West.