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September 12, 2016

Syria: U.S. and Russia Agree to Ceasefire Deal
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In international news, the U.S. and Russia say warring factions in Syria
are set to begin a 10-day ceasefire at sundown tonight. Secretary of
State John Kerry said he reached the deal during talks in Geneva with
his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.

Secretary of State John Kerry: "Today the United States and Russia are
announcing a plan which we hope will reduce violence, ease suffering and
resume movement towards a negotiated peace and a political transition in
Syria. And we believe that the plan, as it is set forth, if implemented,
if followed, has the ability to provide a turning point, a moment of
change."

Scores were killed in heavy fighting after news of the ceasefire broke.
Witnesses said at least 61 died and over 100 were wounded after a
warplane bombed a market in Idlib. The Syrian Observatory for Human
Rights said another 30 people were killed in Aleppo province. The
ceasefire calls for Syria's government to stop bombing cities and allow
humanitarian aid corridors. Russia will cease bombing all targets except
for ISIS, and the U.S. will force the rebel groups it arms to break
allegiance with a group that has pledged support for al-Qaeda. The U.S.
and Russia may also begin joint bombing campaigns. Several previous
ceasefires in Syria have collapsed.
Topics:Syria Russia

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