Is A Ceasefire In Sight For Syria's Warring Armies?

Turkey and Russia have agreed on a proposal toward a general ceasefire in Syria, Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency said on Wednesday, and will aim to put it into effect by midnight.

Anadolu said the two countries have reached a consensus that will be presented to participants in the conflict on expanding the ceasefire that was established in Aleppo earlier this month.

The news agency's unnamed source said "terrorist organisations" would be excluded from the deal.

A spokesman at Turkey's foreign ministry said he had no immediate comment on the report.

Russia, Iran and Turkey said last week they were ready to help broker a peace deal after holding talks in Moscow where they adopted a declaration setting out the principles any agreement should adhere to.

Arrangements for the talks, which would not include the United States and be distinct from separate intermittent UN-brokered negotiations, remain hazy, but Moscow has said they would take place in Kazakhstan, a close ally.

Russia's foreign minister on Tuesday said the Syrian government was consulting with the opposition ahead of possible peace talks, while a Saudi-backed opposition group said it knew nothing of the negotiations but supported a ceasefire.

Russia and Turkey back opposing sides in the conflict, with Turkey a strong supporter of the rebellion against the Assad regime. Earlier this month they negotiated a ceasefire in Aleppo that led to the evacuation of thousands of fighters and civilians.

Previous attempts at a general ceasefire have broken down within days. The umbrella group representing most of the groups fighting the regime in Syria's complex rebellion, the High Negotiations Committee, said it knew nothing about the latest initiative.

Additional reporting by Reuters

News
Pastor preaches in Bristol city centre despite fears of arrest
Pastor preaches in Bristol city centre despite fears of arrest

A pastor has returned to street preaching in Bristol city centre just over four months after he was arrested for his comments on Islam and transgender ideology. 

The biblical backstory of Iran
The biblical backstory of Iran

Iran is back in the headlines. The word “Iran” does not appear in the Bible, but the names of preceding peoples and empires occupying that land today are written into the biblical narrative. This is the story …

Most pastors are using AI despite some concerns - study
Most pastors are using AI despite some concerns - study

For most pastors, AI is a "communication aid", said Barna.

12 Christians killed in Easter Sunday church attacks in Nigeria
12 Christians killed in Easter Sunday church attacks in Nigeria

Fulani terrorists killed 12 Christians in attacks on two worship services on Easter Sunday in Kaduna state, Nigeria, following the killing of 17 Christians in Benue state, sources said.