July 3 (UPI) — Syria declared a cease-fire throughout the southern portion of the nation through Thursday, the military said in a statement carried by state TV.
The cease-fire began at noon Sunday in the Daraa, Quneitra and As Suwayda provinces of Syria, the statement by SANA broadcaster said.
“The aim of the peace process and national reconciliation was the cessation of hostilities in the southern region,” the announcement said.
The General Command of the Army said it “will respond appropriately in the event of any breach” by rebel factions.
On June 17, the army announced a cease-fire in the southern city of Daraa along the border with Israel.
Last Wednesday, Israel launched attacks on military outposts inside Syria in the Quneitra province in retaliation to stray mortar fire that hit the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The Israeli army reported no casualties.
The latest cease-fire comes in the midst of peace talks.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, all parties in the conflict, except for internationally recognized terror groups, will gather in the Kazakhstan capital of Astana to take part in the fifth round of talks. Rebels groups in the past have boycotted the meetings which are sponsored by opposition supporter Turkey and Syrian government backers Russia and Iran.
United Nation-hosted Intra-Syrian peace talks are scheduled for July 10 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Foreign Policy reported Monday that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson wants to let Russia decide the fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
“The Syrian people should determine their country’s political future through a political process,” a State Department official said to Foreign Policy.
But the official said the Untied States continues to be “committed to the Geneva process” and is in support of a “credible political process that can resolve the question of Syria’s future.”
