A U.S.-Russia cease-fire plan for Syria is scheduled to take effect at midnight (local time) Friday in Syria.
The Syrian government accepted the plan Tuesday. Opposition groups have until midnight Friday to confirm their participation. The cease-fire agreement does not apply to Islamic State or al-Qaida-linked groups, and Syria said it will continue military operations against those groups.
Syrian forces and other armed opposition groups must agree to the cease-fire terms, which include:
- Implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254, also known as the "Roadmap for Peace in Syria," which includes the readiness to participate in a U.N.-led political negotiation process.
- Cessation of attacks by each side with any weapons, including rockets, mortars and anti-tank guided missiles.
- Unhindered and immediate access to humanitarian groups delivering aid to besieged areas.
- No land grabs.
- Proportionate use of force by either side when responding in self-defense.
Any party to the cease-fire can bring allegations of violations to the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) and its cease-fire task force. A U.S. State Department spokesman said the group may also rely in part on non-government organizations and journalists in Syria for reports on possible cease-fire violations.
