Russia says Syrian government forces have suspended their operations against foreign-backed Takfiri militants in the northwestern province of Idlib as part of a “unilateral” ceasefire, Press TV reported.
“From 00:00 on May 18, Syrian armed forces unilaterally ceased fire in the Idlib de-escalation zone,” Russian Defense Ministry's Center for Syrian Reconciliation said in a statement on Sunday.
The demilitarized zone surrounds Idlib and also includes parts of the adjacent provinces of Aleppo and Hama.
The statement said despite the ceasefire, "firing targeting government forces’ positions and civilians in the provinces of Hama, Latakia and Aleppo continues.”
The Iranian envoy described the situation in Idlib as critical, saying terrorist groups were using "over two million civilians as human shields".
Syria’s UN Ambassador Bashar al-Ja’afari also called for a halt to foreign support for terrorists operating in the province.
“Ending the suffering of Syrians in Idlib requires stopping hypocrisy and politicization and investment in terrorists and manipulating peoples’ destinies and lives,” he said.
