Syrian Truce Holding, UN Chief Says

In general the truce in Syria is holding, excluding separate incidents. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced on March 1.

“By and large the cessation of hostilities is holding, even though we have experienced some incidents,” Ban told reporters in Geneva before a meeting of the International Syria Support Group.

“But the task force and all other members of this ISSG are now trying to make sure that this does not spread any further and this cessation of hostilities can continue.”
Ahead of the meeting, France demanded information about several incidents reportedly violating the ceasefire.

“All this needs to be verified. France has therefore demanded that the task force charged with overseeing the cessation of hostilities meet without delay,” said French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault.

Russia on Sunday reported several incidents involving rebel-controlled areas. In one case, a large fighting force crossed the Turkish border and attacked a Kurdish town with artillery support from the Turkish side, the report said. The rebels and the Turks denied the report.
Pro-rebel monitors said Russian warplanes conducted several airstrikes in western Syria. Russia insists that it excludes rebel groups that had pledged to hold the ceasefire from its missions.
According to Ban Ki-moon, in the recent days the UN was able to deliver humanitarian aid to 80 thousand people and 140 thousand more will get humanitarian and medical aid in the upcoming 5-6 days.