Major Powers have agreed to a "cessation of hostilities" in the coming week in Syria. Though ISIS and ISIL are not included, Russia and the United States and other world leaders have discussed Thursday that a ceasefire is much needed for the country.
New York Times reported that the two countries have agreed to halt all activities and protect the country. They announced that more aids will be coming for the citizens of Syria. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart, Sergey V. Lavrov, said that they will do everything to end all fights so that ceasefire will occur eventually. An agreement was made Friday in Munich, as the two world leaders together with 20 other nation leaders; decided it will happen next week.
According to LA Times, Russia wanted the ceasefire to start in March 1. Many people suspected that the country wanted it that way so that they can help Syrian's President Bashar Assad win the civil war. However, the United States and other Arab Gulf countries together with the European countries wanted the ceasefire to happen immediately. Since Syria is being attacked by ISIS, the U.S. government wanted the focus to be there rather than fighting with Syrian government. Civil war in the country has been ongoing since 2011 and other nations are hoping this would stop it.
Though nothing is final yet, Kerry is hoping all nations, especially Russia will follow suit. Reuters stated that Russia will continue attacking ISIS and ISIL. Lavrov said those Islamic militants are not part of the agreement. They will continue their air strikes to force out ISIS and other militants in out of the country. Allegations against Russia came about as some people are saying Russia's attacks affected several civilians rather than those militant groups.
International Syria Support group that contains 20 state leaders are hoping this ceasefire would solve the civil war. More meetings and talks will occur as to what the next plan will be.
