A truce between government forces and pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine will come into force Monday, Moscow and Kiev said, though some separatists were already labelling it unfeasible.

Saturday&#39;s announcement comes after nearly 30 people lost their lives as violence flared again earlier this month in a conflict that has left more than 10,000 people dead since April 2014.

In another sign that tensions are far from easing up, Moscow signed a decree Saturday recognising passports issued by rebel authorities in Ukraine&#39;s separatist regions, triggering a protest from Kiev which called it a &quot;provocation&quot;.

The new ceasefire deal was announced after the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France met on the sidelines of a security conference in Munich, with Russia&#39;s Sergei Lavrov calling it a &quot;positive&quot; development.

But the warring sides had already agreed on Wednesday that they would withdraw heavy weapons from the frontline by next Monday in line with a tattered peace plan, and Lavrov warned that there had been no &quot;major progress&quot; in Munich.

Ukraine&#39;s foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin confirmed the deal, warning that the ceasefire must turn into more than a &quot;political slogan&quot; in practical terms.

&quot;This has to be the real situation,&nbsp;and if that&#39;s not the case, we will have to have fresh negotiations,&quot; he told Ukrainian reporters in Munich.

Pro-Russian separatists on the ground declined to confirm they were planning to respect the new ceasefire, with some saying it was unfeasible for it to come into force as early as Monday.

&quot;There has been artillery fire all day,&quot; said Eduard Basurin, a senior official in the self-declared Donetsk People&#39;s Republic.

&quot;What truce are they talking about? I don&#39;t see the point in declaring a truce.&quot;

He added that &quot;for the moment on the Ukrainian side, we see no withdrawal&quot; of heavy weapons as detailed under the latest plan.

Several ceasefires have already faltered in a bid to end Europe&#39;s only armed conflict, thanks to regular flare-ups in fighting between the pro-Russian rebels,&nbsp;whom Moscow has furiously denied giving financial and military support, despite Western allegations,&nbsp;and Ukrainian troops.

The most recent violence earlier this month saw some 30 soldiers and civilians killed in the flashpoint town of Avdiivka.

&quot;Sometimes we must admit that there is a lack of willingness on the ground,&quot; French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said Saturday.

In Moscow, President Vladimir Putin raised Kiev&#39;s ire again by signing a decree recognising passports issued by the self-declared Lugansk People&#39;s Republic and the Donetsk People&#39;s Republic.

&quot;Ukrainian citizens and stateless persons who live there&quot; will now be able &quot;to enter Russia and exit Russia without a visa,&quot; the decree said.

Moscow described the move as &quot;temporary&quot; until a &quot;political solution&quot; is found to bring peace to the region.

But Ukraine&#39;s President Petro Poroshenko blasted the decree as &quot;fresh proof of the Russian occupation and violations by Russia of international law&quot;, adding it was &quot;highly symbolic&quot; that it was published while he was meeting in Munich with US vice-president Mike Pence, who informed him of the move.

Ganna Gopko, head of the foreign affairs committee of the Ukrainian parliament, told AFP: &quot;It&#39;s a deliberate provocation by Putin.&quot;

(AFP)

&nbsp;

Ukraine's foreign minister?confirmed the deal, warning that the ceasefire must turn into more than a 'political slogan'?in practical terms

A truce between government forces and pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine will come into force Monday, Moscow and Kiev said, though some separatists were already labelling it unfeasible. Saturday's announcement comes after nearly 30 people lost their lives as violence flared again earlier this month in a conflict that has left more than 10,000 people dead since April 2014. In another sign that tensions are far from easing up, Moscow signed a decree Saturday recognising passports issued by rebel authorities in Ukraine's separatist regions, triggering a protest from Kiev which called it a "provocation". The new ceasefire deal was announced after the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France met on the sidelines of a security conference in Munich, with Russia's Sergei Lavrov calling it a "positive" development. But the warring sides had already agreed on Wednesday that they would withdraw heavy weapons from the frontline by next Monday in line with a tattered peace plan, and Lavrov warned that there had been no "major progress" in Munich. Ukraine's foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin confirmed the deal, warning that the ceasefire must turn into more than a "political slogan" in practical terms. "This has to be the real situation, and if that's not the case, we will have to have fresh negotiations," he told Ukrainian reporters in Munich. Pro-Russian separatists on the ground declined to confirm they were planning to respect the new ceasefire, with some saying it was unfeasible for it to come into force as early as Monday. "There has been artillery fire all day," said Eduard Basurin, a senior official in the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic. "What truce are they talking about? I don't see the point in declaring a truce." He added that "for the moment on the Ukrainian side, we see no withdrawal" of heavy weapons as detailed under the latest plan. Several ceasefires have already faltered in a bid to end Europe's only armed conflict, thanks to regular flare-ups in fighting between the pro-Russian rebels, whom Moscow has furiously denied giving financial and military support, despite Western allegations, and Ukrainian troops. The most recent violence earlier this month saw some 30 soldiers and civilians killed in the flashpoint town of Avdiivka. "Sometimes we must admit that there is a lack of willingness on the ground," French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said Saturday. In Moscow, President Vladimir Putin raised Kiev's ire again by signing a decree recognising passports issued by the self-declared Lugansk People's Republic and the Donetsk People's Republic. "Ukrainian citizens and stateless persons who live there" will now be able "to enter Russia and exit Russia without a visa," the decree said. Moscow described the move as "temporary" until a "political solution" is found to bring peace to the region. But Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko blasted the decree as "fresh proof of the Russian occupation and violations by Russia of international law", adding it was "highly symbolic" that it was published while he was meeting in Munich with US vice-president Mike Pence, who informed him of the move. Ganna Gopko, head of the foreign affairs committee of the Ukrainian parliament, told AFP: "It's a deliberate provocation by Putin." (AFP)

New Ukraine ceasefire deal due to come into force on Monday

The ceasefire deal between Syrian government forces and rebels that came into effect from midnight held early on Friday, with reports of isolated clashes and gunfire in the initial stages, a monitoring group and a rebel official told Reuters.

According to media reports, the ceasefire was violated shortly after it came to effect with clashes taking place in the northwest of the country.

But hours later, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the general &quot;calm continues&quot;, said Reuters.

A rebel official in the Jaish al-Nasr group told Reuters that there had been &quot;some shelling during the night, but today it&#39;s stopped ... until now the situation is good.&quot;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

The truce was violated shortly after it came into effect but hours later a monitor said the general 'calm continues'

The ceasefire deal between Syrian government forces and rebels that came into effect from midnight held early on Friday, with reports of isolated clashes and gunfire in the initial stages, a monitoring group and a rebel official told Reuters. According to media reports, the ceasefire was violated shortly after it came to effect with clashes taking place in the northwest of the country. But hours later, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the general "calm continues", said Reuters. A rebel official in the Jaish al-Nasr group told Reuters that there had been "some shelling during the night, but today it's stopped ... until now the situation is good." (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Syria: Ceasefire survives after initial clashes

Indian &quot;belligerence&quot; is a threat to regional peace and can lead to &quot;strategic miscalculation&quot;, Pakistan told the envoys of the P5 countries in Islamabad on Friday while briefing them over alleged &quot;ceasefire violations&quot; by India.

Pakistan Prime Minister&#39;s adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz briefed the heads of missions of the P5 -- the US, China, Russia, the UK and France -- on the &quot;continued unprovoked ceasefire violations&quot; by Indian forces along the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary (WB), the Foreign Office here said.

Foreign office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said in a statement that representatives of China, France, Russian Federation, the UK and the US were briefed at the foreign ministry.

Aziz stated that the Indian &quot;belligerence&quot; is a threat to the regional peace and security and can lead to a strategic miscalculation, which would be disastrous for the region, the Foreign Office said.

The adviser strongly condemned the &quot;reprehensible attack on the civilian bus in the Neelum Valley on November 23 in complete violation of the 2003 ceasefire understanding and international law, especially the international humanitarian law,&quot; the statement said.

&quot;The Indian forces also fired upon the ambulances that had come to rescue the injured people from the site of the attack. The deliberate targeting of civilian populated areas is condemnable and deplorable and must be investigated,&quot; Aziz was quoted as saying.

Aziz referred to persistent &quot;ceasefire violations&quot; by India, especially during the last two months which he claimed had resulted in the loss of more than 45 civilian lives and caused injuries to more than 139 others along the border &nbsp;in an effort to divert international attention from the continuing &quot;human rights violations in the Kashmir&quot;.

Aziz has also addressed letters to the foreign ministers of the permanent members of the UN Security Council, on the escalation along the LoC and Indian ceasefire violations, the Foreign Office here said.

Copies of these letters were also handed over to the heads of missions, it said.

Aziz called on the permanent members of the UN Security Council to play a crucial role in maintaining global peace and security and urge India to immediately put an end to the &quot;escalation and bloodshed&quot; at the LoC, it added.

(PTI)

Pakistan PM's foreign affairs adviser Sartaj Aziz briefed envoys of US,China,Russia,UK and France on alleged ceasefire violations by India

Indian "belligerence" is a threat to regional peace and can lead to "strategic miscalculation", Pakistan told the envoys of the P5 countries in Islamabad on Friday while briefing them over alleged "ceasefire violations" by India. Pakistan Prime Minister's adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz briefed the heads of missions of the P5 -- the US, China, Russia, the UK and France -- on the "continued unprovoked ceasefire violations" by Indian forces along the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary (WB), the Foreign Office here said. Foreign office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said in a statement that representatives of China, France, Russian Federation, the UK and the US were briefed at the foreign ministry. Aziz stated that the Indian "belligerence" is a threat to the regional peace and security and can lead to a strategic miscalculation, which would be disastrous for the region, the Foreign Office said. The adviser strongly condemned the "reprehensible attack on the civilian bus in the Neelum Valley on November 23 in complete violation of the 2003 ceasefire understanding and international law, especially the international humanitarian law," the statement said. "The Indian forces also fired upon the ambulances that had come to rescue the injured people from the site of the attack. The deliberate targeting of civilian populated areas is condemnable and deplorable and must be investigated," Aziz was quoted as saying. Aziz referred to persistent "ceasefire violations" by India, especially during the last two months which he claimed had resulted in the loss of more than 45 civilian lives and caused injuries to more than 139 others along the border in an effort to divert international attention from the continuing "human rights violations in the Kashmir". Aziz has also addressed letters to the foreign ministers of the permanent members of the UN Security Council, on the escalation along the LoC and Indian ceasefire violations, the Foreign Office here said. Copies of these letters were also handed over to the heads of missions, it said. Aziz called on the permanent members of the UN Security Council to play a crucial role in maintaining global peace and security and urge India to immediately put an end to the "escalation and bloodshed" at the LoC, it added. (PTI)

Indian 'belligerence' threat to regional peace: Pakistan to P5 envoys

&nbsp;One woman was killed and four others were injured today in cross-border shelling on hamlets and posts with mortar bombs along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control in Samba, Jammu and Rajouri districts.

&quot;Pakistani Rangers started firing with small arms followed by mortars at one place and further spread to four or five places in Ramgarh and Arnia sectors of Samba and Jammu district from 0630 hours,&quot; Deputy Inspector General &nbsp;of India&#39;s paramiliBorder Security Force Dharmendra Pareek said.

They fired 82 mm mortar bombs intermittently, Pareek said, adding, BSF gave them a befitting reply.

A woman aged between 21 to 22 years died during shelling in a hamlet in Ramgarh sector of Samba district, SSP Samba Joginder Singh said.

Six persons have been injured in the ceasefire violations since yesterday.

At 0710 hours, three mortar shells landed in border village of Pindi in Arnia sector of Jammu district, injuring four persons identified as Bodraj (44), Niky, Dharana Devi and Chanchla Devi (49), he said.

Two women, Robiya Kouser (28) and Tasveer Bi (24), were injured in Pakistani shelling in Mendhar sector of Poonch district last evening and have been hospitalised, police said.

Pakistani troops indulged in unprovoked ceasefire violation along the Line of Control in Naushera sector of Rajouri district from 0530 hours using small arms, automatics, 82 and 120 mm mortars, Public Relations Officer Defence Lieutenant Colonel &nbsp;Manish Mehta said.

There have been claims of &nbsp;more that 60 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops along the LoC and IB in the state since surgical strikes against terror launch pads by the Indian Army in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir.

Yesterday, an elderly woman and a soldier were killed and a girl and two armymen were injured in cross-LoC shelling and firing by Pakistani troops in Poonch and Rajouri districts.

&nbsp;

(PTI)

&nbsp;

They fired 82 mm mortar bombs intermittently, says India's paramilitary Border Security Force

One woman was killed and four others were injured today in cross-border shelling on hamlets and posts with mortar bombs along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control in Samba, Jammu and Rajouri districts. "Pakistani Rangers started firing with small arms followed by mortars at one place and further spread to four or five places in Ramgarh and Arnia sectors of Samba and Jammu district from 0630 hours," Deputy Inspector General of India's paramiliBorder Security Force Dharmendra Pareek said. They fired 82 mm mortar bombs intermittently, Pareek said, adding, BSF gave them a befitting reply. A woman aged between 21 to 22 years died during shelling in a hamlet in Ramgarh sector of Samba district, SSP Samba Joginder Singh said. Six persons have been injured in the ceasefire violations since yesterday. At 0710 hours, three mortar shells landed in border village of Pindi in Arnia sector of Jammu district, injuring four persons identified as Bodraj (44), Niky, Dharana Devi and Chanchla Devi (49), he said. Two women, Robiya Kouser (28) and Tasveer Bi (24), were injured in Pakistani shelling in Mendhar sector of Poonch district last evening and have been hospitalised, police said. Pakistani troops indulged in unprovoked ceasefire violation along the Line of Control in Naushera sector of Rajouri district from 0530 hours using small arms, automatics, 82 and 120 mm mortars, Public Relations Officer Defence Lieutenant Colonel Manish Mehta said. There have been claims of more that 60 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops along the LoC and IB in the state since surgical strikes against terror launch pads by the Indian Army in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir. Yesterday, an elderly woman and a soldier were killed and a girl and two armymen were injured in cross-LoC shelling and firing by Pakistani troops in Poonch and Rajouri districts. (PTI)

Pakistan shells India's border hamlets and posts,woman killed: Border Security Force

A constable of India&#39;s Border Security Force was killed and three others injured today in cross-border firing along the international border in India&rsquo;s Jammu district.

&quot;Pakistan Rangers opened indiscriminate firing and mortar shelling on forward BoPs (border outposts) and civilian areas in several sub sectors along IB (in Jammu district) overnight,&quot; a senior BSF officer said, Indian news agency PTI reported.

&quot;In the firing and shelling, one BSF jawan was martyred and another injured,&quot; the officer said, adding that the BSF troops guarding the border were giving a &ldquo;befitting reply&rdquo;.

There has been firing of small and automatic weapons and mortars on over 25 BoPs and civilian areas in R S Pura, Arnia, Suchetgarh, Kanachak, and Pargwal sub sectors of Jammu district since last night and the firing is continuing, the officer told PTI.

On the other side of the border,&nbsp;Pakistan&#39;s&nbsp;Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said two people including a one-year-old baby were killed and seven others injured in the cross-border firing on Sunday night&nbsp;, the Dawn reported.

&quot;Due to unprovoked Indian firing at the Working Boundary last night, a civilian Muhammad Latif of village Janglora and a minor Haniya embraced shahadat while seven civilians were injured,&quot; a statement from ISPR said, the Dawn reported.&nbsp;

The Indian Border Security Force constable&nbsp;who was killed in the cross-border firing&nbsp;has been identified as Constable Susheel Kumar.

According to Indian police, two women were also injured in the firing in R S Pura sector and have been hospitalised.

(WION with inputs from PTI) 
&nbsp;

On the other side of the border, Pakistan said two people including a one-year-old baby were killed in the firing

A constable of India's Border Security Force was killed and three others injured today in cross-border firing along the international border in India’s Jammu district. "Pakistan Rangers opened indiscriminate firing and mortar shelling on forward BoPs (border outposts) and civilian areas in several sub sectors along IB (in Jammu district) overnight," a senior BSF officer said, Indian news agency PTI reported. "In the firing and shelling, one BSF jawan was martyred and another injured," the officer said, adding that the BSF troops guarding the border were giving a “befitting reply”. There has been firing of small and automatic weapons and mortars on over 25 BoPs and civilian areas in R S Pura, Arnia, Suchetgarh, Kanachak, and Pargwal sub sectors of Jammu district since last night and the firing is continuing, the officer told PTI. On the other side of the border, Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said two people including a one-year-old baby were killed and seven others injured in the cross-border firing on Sunday night , the Dawn reported. "Due to unprovoked Indian firing at the Working Boundary last night, a civilian Muhammad Latif of village Janglora and a minor Haniya embraced shahadat while seven civilians were injured," a statement from ISPR said, the Dawn reported. The Indian Border Security Force constable who was killed in the cross-border firing has been identified as Constable Susheel Kumar. According to Indian police, two women were also injured in the firing in R S Pura sector and have been hospitalised. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Indian Border Security Force constable killed in cross-border firing

Pakistan army has opened fire at their Indian counterparts in Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir, according to Indian news channel Times Now.

Indian troops have retaliated to the firing.

This is the 23rd ceasefire violation in the last ten days.

On October 3 and 5, Pakistan made similar attempts in Poonch district, which is located very close to the Line of Control (LOC), a border separating India and Pakistan.

(More to follow)

(WION)

&nbsp;

Pakistan has breached the ceasefire for the 23rd time in the last 10 days

Pakistan army has opened fire at their Indian counterparts in Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir, according to Indian news channel Times Now. Indian troops have retaliated to the firing. This is the 23rd ceasefire violation in the last ten days. On October 3 and 5, Pakistan made similar attempts in Poonch district, which is located very close to the Line of Control (LOC), a border separating India and Pakistan. (More to follow) (WION)

Pakistan violates ceasefire in Kashmir again: Report

Russia is sending more warplanes to Syria to ramp up its air campaign, a Russian newspaper reported on Friday, as the United States said diplomacy to halt the violence was &quot;on life support&quot; but not dead yet.

Fighting continued to intensify a week into a new Russian-backed Syrian government offensive to capture rebel-held eastern Aleppo and crush the last urban stronghold of a revolt against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that began in 2011.

Moscow and Assad spurned a US-Russian brokered ceasefire agreed to this month and launched attacks on rebel-held areas in Aleppo in potentially the most decisive battle in the Syrian civil war.

US&nbsp;secretary of state John Kerry and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov spoke by telephone for a third straight day, with the top Russian diplomat saying Moscow was ready to consider more ways to normalise the situation in Aleppo.&nbsp;But Lavrov criticised Washington`s failure to separate moderate rebel groups from those the Russians call terrorists, which had allowed forces led by the group formerly known as the Nusra front to violate the US-Russian truce agreed on Sept. 9.

The United States made clear on Friday that it would not, for now, carry through on the threat it made on Wednesday to halt the diplomacy if Russia did not take immediate steps to halt the violence.

&quot;This is on life support, but it&#39;s not flat-lined yet,&quot; state department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters, hinting that there may have been progress with Russia. &quot;We have seen enough that we don`t want to definitively close the door yet.&quot;

No alternative to diplomacy?

US&nbsp;officials and analysts argued the White House has few alternatives. &quot;If we do walk away from this diplomatic process, as ... moribund as it is, what are the options?&quot; Toner asked.

&quot;They can`t afford to,&quot; said Chas Freeman, a retired US&nbsp;ambassador. &quot;You can`t do international business with silence and ostracism.&quot;

The White House put on hold proposals to end the talks despite the possibility that continuing them would erase whatever credibility Washington has on Syria and risk encouraging Assad and his Russian backers to continue the carnage.&nbsp;It also would leave the United States vulnerable to attacks that it failed to intervene to halt war crimes, proponents of ending the diplomacy argued, according to officials familiar with the internal discussions.

Options discussed include providing more sophisticated arms, logistical support, and training to Syrian rebel groups, though not shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, either directly or via Gulf Arab states or Turkey, these officials said. Another idea, they said, was to launch an air or cruise missile strike on a remote Syrian airbase, with a tentative list drawn up of what one official said was &quot;slightly more than a dozen&quot; Syrian airbases, barrel-bomb factories and other military targets.

However, senior officials concluded there is no alternative to leaving the door open to talks because any other course would risk provoking an open conflict with Russia.

Any US&nbsp;attack was ruled out early in the process as what another official called &quot;a pointless escalation&quot; that would risk killing or wounding some of the Russians who are intermingled with Syrian government forces in many locations.&nbsp; &quot;This leaves us with zero credibility in the Arab world and Turkey and no respect in Russia and beyond,&quot; said one frustrated official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

&quot;It&rsquo;s another red line,&quot; the official added in an allusion to Obama&rsquo;s threat to retaliate if Assad used chemical weapons, which he abruptly decided not to enforce in 2013.

SU-24 and&nbsp;SU-34 aircraft

Western countries accuse Russia of war crimes, saying it has deliberately targeted civilians, hospitals and aid deliveries in recent days to crush the will of 250,000 people trapped inside the besieged rebel-held sector of Aleppo, Syria`s biggest city before the war.&nbsp;Moscow and Damascus say they have targeted only militants.&nbsp;

Russia joined the war a year ago, tipping the balance of power in favour of Assad, who is also supported by Iranian ground forces and Shi`ite militia from Lebanon and Iraq.

The Kremlin said on Friday there was no time frame for its military operation in Syria. The main result of Russian air strikes over the past year is that &quot;neither Islamic State, nor al Qaeda nor the Nusra Front are now sitting in Damascus&quot;, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Russia`s Izvestia newspaper reported that a group of Su-24 and Su-34 warplanes had arrived at Syria`s Hmeymim base.

&quot;If need be, the air force group will be (further) built up within two to three days,&quot; it quoted a military official as saying. &quot;Su-25 ground attack fighters designated to be sent to Hmeymim have already been selected in their units and their crews are on stand-by, awaiting orders from their commanders.&quot;

The Su-25 is an armoured twin-engine jet that was battle-tested in the 1980s during the Soviet war in Afghanistan. It can be used to strafe targets on the ground, or as a bomber.

Russia`s defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters for comment. The US&nbsp;State and Defense Departments declined comment on the Izvestia report.

Western officials believe Moscow`s decision to spurn the latest truce signals it believes Assad can now win a decisive battlefield victory after years of mostly stalemated war that killed hundreds of thousands and made half of Syrians homeless.

Syrian government forces and rebels fought battles on Friday in the city centre and north of Aleppo, where government troops had recaptured a Palestinian refugee camp on Thursday that already had changed hands once since the start of the attack.

The sides gave conflicting accounts of the outcome of Friday`s fighting. North of the city, the military said it had captured territory around the Kindi hospital near the refugee camp. Rebel sources denied the army had advanced there.

In the city centre, the military said it had advanced in the Suleiman al-Halabi district. Rebel officials said troops had moved forward but had subsequently been forced to withdraw. 
A Syrian military source said government forces captured several buildings in the area and were &quot;continuing to chase the remnants of the terrorists fleeing them&quot;. One of the rebel officials said government forces had &quot;advanced and then retreated&quot;, losing &quot;a number of dead&quot;.

(Reuters)

Fighting continued to intensify a week into a new Russian-backed Syrian government offensive to capture rebel-held eastern Aleppo

Russia is sending more warplanes to Syria to ramp up its air campaign, a Russian newspaper reported on Friday, as the United States said diplomacy to halt the violence was "on life support" but not dead yet. Fighting continued to intensify a week into a new Russian-backed Syrian government offensive to capture rebel-held eastern Aleppo and crush the last urban stronghold of a revolt against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that began in 2011. Moscow and Assad spurned a US-Russian brokered ceasefire agreed to this month and launched attacks on rebel-held areas in Aleppo in potentially the most decisive battle in the Syrian civil war. US secretary of state John Kerry and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov spoke by telephone for a third straight day, with the top Russian diplomat saying Moscow was ready to consider more ways to normalise the situation in Aleppo. But Lavrov criticised Washington`s failure to separate moderate rebel groups from those the Russians call terrorists, which had allowed forces led by the group formerly known as the Nusra front to violate the US-Russian truce agreed on Sept. 9. The United States made clear on Friday that it would not, for now, carry through on the threat it made on Wednesday to halt the diplomacy if Russia did not take immediate steps to halt the violence. "This is on life support, but it's not flat-lined yet," state department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters, hinting that there may have been progress with Russia. "We have seen enough that we don`t want to definitively close the door yet." No alternative to diplomacy? US officials and analysts argued the White House has few alternatives. "If we do walk away from this diplomatic process, as ... moribund as it is, what are the options?" Toner asked. "They can`t afford to," said Chas Freeman, a retired US ambassador. "You can`t do international business with silence and ostracism." The White House put on hold proposals to end the talks despite the possibility that continuing them would erase whatever credibility Washington has on Syria and risk encouraging Assad and his Russian backers to continue the carnage. It also would leave the United States vulnerable to attacks that it failed to intervene to halt war crimes, proponents of ending the diplomacy argued, according to officials familiar with the internal discussions. Options discussed include providing more sophisticated arms, logistical support, and training to Syrian rebel groups, though not shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, either directly or via Gulf Arab states or Turkey, these officials said. Another idea, they said, was to launch an air or cruise missile strike on a remote Syrian airbase, with a tentative list drawn up of what one official said was "slightly more than a dozen" Syrian airbases, barrel-bomb factories and other military targets. However, senior officials concluded there is no alternative to leaving the door open to talks because any other course would risk provoking an open conflict with Russia. Any US attack was ruled out early in the process as what another official called "a pointless escalation" that would risk killing or wounding some of the Russians who are intermingled with Syrian government forces in many locations. "This leaves us with zero credibility in the Arab world and Turkey and no respect in Russia and beyond," said one frustrated official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "It’s another red line," the official added in an allusion to Obama’s threat to retaliate if Assad used chemical weapons, which he abruptly decided not to enforce in 2013. SU-24 and SU-34 aircraft Western countries accuse Russia of war crimes, saying it has deliberately targeted civilians, hospitals and aid deliveries in recent days to crush the will of 250,000 people trapped inside the besieged rebel-held sector of Aleppo, Syria`s biggest city before the war. Moscow and Damascus say they have targeted only militants. Russia joined the war a year ago, tipping the balance of power in favour of Assad, who is also supported by Iranian ground forces and Shi`ite militia from Lebanon and Iraq. The Kremlin said on Friday there was no time frame for its military operation in Syria. The main result of Russian air strikes over the past year is that "neither Islamic State, nor al Qaeda nor the Nusra Front are now sitting in Damascus", Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. Russia`s Izvestia newspaper reported that a group of Su-24 and Su-34 warplanes had arrived at Syria`s Hmeymim base. "If need be, the air force group will be (further) built up within two to three days," it quoted a military official as saying. "Su-25 ground attack fighters designated to be sent to Hmeymim have already been selected in their units and their crews are on stand-by, awaiting orders from their commanders." The Su-25 is an armoured twin-engine jet that was battle-tested in the 1980s during the Soviet war in Afghanistan. It can be used to strafe targets on the ground, or as a bomber. Russia`s defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters for comment. The US State and Defense Departments declined comment on the Izvestia report. Western officials believe Moscow`s decision to spurn the latest truce signals it believes Assad can now win a decisive battlefield victory after years of mostly stalemated war that killed hundreds of thousands and made half of Syrians homeless. Syrian government forces and rebels fought battles on Friday in the city centre and north of Aleppo, where government troops had recaptured a Palestinian refugee camp on Thursday that already had changed hands once since the start of the attack. The sides gave conflicting accounts of the outcome of Friday`s fighting. North of the city, the military said it had captured territory around the Kindi hospital near the refugee camp. Rebel sources denied the army had advanced there. In the city centre, the military said it had advanced in the Suleiman al-Halabi district. Rebel officials said troops had moved forward but had subsequently been forced to withdraw. A Syrian military source said government forces captured several buildings in the area and were "continuing to chase the remnants of the terrorists fleeing them". One of the rebel officials said government forces had "advanced and then retreated", losing "a number of dead". (Reuters)

Russia to send more warplanes to Syria

US-backed Syrian rebels said a peace deal will have little meaning till the time bombing in Aleppo is stopped.&nbsp; 
 
Aleppo, Syria&#39;s largest city, has been bombed severely in the last few days by Russia-supported Syrian government.&nbsp; 
 
More than 30 rebel groups, including those backed by Turkey, Gulf states and the West, said the &quot;unprecedented&quot; bombing of the past few days would undermine the significance of any peace deal brokered by Russia and the US in the coming days.&nbsp; 
 
The statement also expressed the rebels&#39; wariness about the West&#39;s attempt to forge a peace deal with Russia.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;It (Russia) is a partner with the regime in its crimes against our people,&quot; the statement read. 
 
The statement also accused Syrian forces of using napalm and chemical weapons in the war against them. 
 
The rebels&#39; apprehension comes close on the heels of&nbsp;Britain, France and the US on Saturday requesting for an urgent United Nations Security Council meeting on the escalating campaign in Aleppo. The meeting is said to be held later today. 
 
More than 300,000 people have lost their lives since the Syrian war broke out in 2012.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from Reuters)
<div>&nbsp;</div>

Rebels are wary of any peace deal involving Russia, a country that has put its weight behind the Syrian regime

US-backed Syrian rebels said a peace deal will have little meaning till the time bombing in Aleppo is stopped. Aleppo, Syria's largest city, has been bombed severely in the last few days by Russia-supported Syrian government. More than 30 rebel groups, including those backed by Turkey, Gulf states and the West, said the "unprecedented" bombing of the past few days would undermine the significance of any peace deal brokered by Russia and the US in the coming days. The statement also expressed the rebels' wariness about the West's attempt to forge a peace deal with Russia. "It (Russia) is a partner with the regime in its crimes against our people," the statement read. The statement also accused Syrian forces of using napalm and chemical weapons in the war against them. The rebels' apprehension comes close on the heels of Britain, France and the US on Saturday requesting for an urgent United Nations Security Council meeting on the escalating campaign in Aleppo. The meeting is said to be held later today. More than 300,000 people have lost their lives since the Syrian war broke out in 2012. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Aleppo bombings undermine peace efforts: Syrian rebels

The breakthrough ceasefire deal touted as the moment of change in the Syrian peace process got off to a shaky start. 
 
Russia and the United States hammered out a truce deal following marathon talks on Friday in the Swiss city of Geneva.&nbsp; 
 
But just hours before the ceasefire was due to begin, an influential Syrian rebel group, the hardline Islamist Ahrar al-Sham rejected the truce deal. 
 
The Syrian rebel group is the first to officially react to the deal. Ahrar al-Sham said the people cannot accept half-solutions.&nbsp; 
 
In his YouTube video to mark the start of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha on Monday, the group&#39;s deputy leader Ali al-Omar said that the deal would only serve to reinforce the regime of President Bashar al-Assad and increase the suffering of civilians.&nbsp; 
 
The group works closely with former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front, which has also dismissed the accord.&nbsp; 
 
The deputy leader refuted a crucial aspect of the deal wherein Washington is expected to convince mainstream opposition fighters to break their alliance with Fateh al-Sham.&nbsp; 
 
Fateh al-Sham spokesman Mostafa Mahamed wrote on Twitter, &quot;The negotiations and the deals which do not take account of fighters on the ground are useless.&quot; 
 
The group is not covered by the ceasefire deal. 
 
The negotiated plan aims to put Syria&#39;s peace process back on track. It will include a nationwide truce effective from sundown on Monday, providing better humanitarian aid access and military coordination between the U.S. and Russia against banned Islamist groups in Syria.&nbsp; 
 
US secretary of state John Kerry said, &#39;&#39;The United States and Russia are announcing a plan which we hope will reduce violence, ease suffering and resume movement towards a negotiated peace and a political transition in Syria and we believe that the plan as it is set forth if implemented, if followed, has the ability to provide a turning point, a moment of change.&#39;&#39;&nbsp; 
 
The Assad regime and its allies have promised to respect the ceasefire deal.&nbsp; 
 
Kerry said the &quot;bedrock&quot; of the new deal was an agreement that the Syrian government would not fly combat missions in an agreed area on the pretext of hunting fighters from the banned Nusra Front, an Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria. 
 
In another confidence building measure, Russian-backed government forces and opposition groups, supported by the United States and Gulf States, would halt fighting for a while. It would give a chance to the opposition fighters to separate from militant groups in areas, such as Aleppo.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Ahrar al-Sham claimed the US-Russia brokered deal would have little political influence as it only empowers the Assad government

The breakthrough ceasefire deal touted as the moment of change in the Syrian peace process got off to a shaky start. Russia and the United States hammered out a truce deal following marathon talks on Friday in the Swiss city of Geneva. But just hours before the ceasefire was due to begin, an influential Syrian rebel group, the hardline Islamist Ahrar al-Sham rejected the truce deal. The Syrian rebel group is the first to officially react to the deal. Ahrar al-Sham said the people cannot accept half-solutions. In his YouTube video to mark the start of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha on Monday, the group's deputy leader Ali al-Omar said that the deal would only serve to reinforce the regime of President Bashar al-Assad and increase the suffering of civilians. The group works closely with former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front, which has also dismissed the accord. The deputy leader refuted a crucial aspect of the deal wherein Washington is expected to convince mainstream opposition fighters to break their alliance with Fateh al-Sham. Fateh al-Sham spokesman Mostafa Mahamed wrote on Twitter, "The negotiations and the deals which do not take account of fighters on the ground are useless." The group is not covered by the ceasefire deal. The negotiated plan aims to put Syria's peace process back on track. It will include a nationwide truce effective from sundown on Monday, providing better humanitarian aid access and military coordination between the U.S. and Russia against banned Islamist groups in Syria. US secretary of state John Kerry said, ''The United States and Russia are announcing a plan which we hope will reduce violence, ease suffering and resume movement towards a negotiated peace and a political transition in Syria and we believe that the plan as it is set forth if implemented, if followed, has the ability to provide a turning point, a moment of change.'' The Assad regime and its allies have promised to respect the ceasefire deal. Kerry said the "bedrock" of the new deal was an agreement that the Syrian government would not fly combat missions in an agreed area on the pretext of hunting fighters from the banned Nusra Front, an Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria. In another confidence building measure, Russian-backed government forces and opposition groups, supported by the United States and Gulf States, would halt fighting for a while. It would give a chance to the opposition fighters to separate from militant groups in areas, such as Aleppo. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Syrian rebel group rejects ceasefire accord

The United States and Russia have agreed to a &#39;&#39;cessation of hostilities&#39;&#39; in Syria from September 12, the first day of Eid. 
 
Both countries have also agreed to carry out joint air strikes in Syria if the ceasefire holds up for a week, AFP quoted&nbsp;Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying. 
 
US Secretary of State John&nbsp;Kerry said if the ceasefire remained imposed for a week, the two countries would set up a common military hub to fight Islamic State and Al Nusra in Syria.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The United States is going the extra mile here because we believe Russia and my colleague have the capability to press the Assad regime to stop this conflict and come to the table and make peace,&quot; said US Secretary of State John Kerry.&nbsp; 
 
The peace deal comes after marathon talks held between the two countries in Geneva. 
 
The meeting was not without its fair share of drama as the talks were on the brink of collapse. Delays and&nbsp;uncertainties from both sides were the main reasons for the delay in agreeing to the deal. 
 
Turkey, which launched its first major military incursion into Syria two and half weeks ago, on Saturday welcomed the deal for a ceasefire in its neighbouring country. 
 
&quot;We welcome the agreement,&quot; the foreign ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;Provision of aid around Aleppo was key, the statement said. 
 
The war in Syria has been raging for the last five years. It has claimed around&nbsp;300,000 lives. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

The two countries came to an agreement after a day of marathon talks in Geneva

The United States and Russia have agreed to a ''cessation of hostilities'' in Syria from September 12, the first day of Eid. Both countries have also agreed to carry out joint air strikes in Syria if the ceasefire holds up for a week, AFP quoted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying. US Secretary of State John Kerry said if the ceasefire remained imposed for a week, the two countries would set up a common military hub to fight Islamic State and Al Nusra in Syria. "The United States is going the extra mile here because we believe Russia and my colleague have the capability to press the Assad regime to stop this conflict and come to the table and make peace," said US Secretary of State John Kerry. The peace deal comes after marathon talks held between the two countries in Geneva. The meeting was not without its fair share of drama as the talks were on the brink of collapse. Delays and uncertainties from both sides were the main reasons for the delay in agreeing to the deal. Turkey, which launched its first major military incursion into Syria two and half weeks ago, on Saturday welcomed the deal for a ceasefire in its neighbouring country. "We welcome the agreement," the foreign ministry said in a statement. Provision of aid around Aleppo was key, the statement said. The war in Syria has been raging for the last five years. It has claimed around 300,000 lives. (WION with inputs from agencies)

US, Russia agree on ceasefire plan in Syria

A day ahead of Independence Day, with the nation on high alert, India claims that Pakistan violated the ceasefire in the wee hours of Sunday morning to which the Indian side responded heavily. 
 
The firing took place near the Line of Control in Shahpu Kandi area of the border in Poonch district. No injuries or casualties have been reported so far and the gunbattle is underway. 
 
The attack comes hours after a grenade attack on Amarnath Yathra pilgrims in Poonch, where almost 15 people were injured. 
 
(ANI)&nbsp;

India claimed Pakistan violated the ceasefire in the wee hours of Sunday morning to which the Indian side responded heavily

A day ahead of Independence Day, with the nation on high alert, India claims that Pakistan violated the ceasefire in the wee hours of Sunday morning to which the Indian side responded heavily. The firing took place near the Line of Control in Shahpu Kandi area of the border in Poonch district. No injuries or casualties have been reported so far and the gunbattle is underway. The attack comes hours after a grenade attack on Amarnath Yathra pilgrims in Poonch, where almost 15 people were injured. (ANI)

Ceasefire violation in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch as India and Pakistan engage in cross-border firing

The Philippine government may still re-impose a ceasefire with Maoist-led guerrillas, a senior administration official said today, a day after it was withdrawn by President Rodrigo Duterte. 
 
Duterte lifted the unilateral truce with the communist New People&#39;s Army on Saturday evening, six days after it was declared as a goodwill gesture ahead of formal peace negotiations in Oslo next month.&nbsp;The move came after rebels did not respond to a deadline to reciprocate the government&#39;s truce. 
 
&quot;We may work out a negotiated truce with the Communists,&quot; Jesus Dureza, presidential peace adviser, said. &quot;It was in our agenda when the formal peace talks resume in Oslo. The peace talks will go on as scheduled.&quot; 
 
The peace talks, brokered by Norway, will resume on August 20, four years after bogging down due to rebels&#39; demand for the release of 500 political prisoners. The government has now promised to free them for health and humanitarian reasons. 
 
Dureza said he welcomed a statement from rebel leader Jose Maria Siso, who was interviewed on local television hours after Duterte withdrew the ceasefire, saying the communists had also intended to impose a truce but it was overtaken by events. 
 
&quot;This is what we have been waiting for,&quot; Dureza said in an official statement. &quot;The leadership of the CPP/NPA/NDF announced through the media its belated but still strategic and awaited decision to also declare its own unilateral ceasefire.&quot; 
 
Duterte also was angered by reports that Maoist-led rebels had killed a militiaman, and wounded four others, in an ambush on Wednesday when they were returning to an army base in Davao del Norte to comply with the government&#39;s unilateral truce. 
 
Renato Reyes, secretary-general of Bayan (Nation), a left-wing political group, criticised the government for imposing &quot;unrealistic&quot; ultimatums, saying the &quot;peace talks are more complicated than some folks think&quot;. 
 
&quot;The road to peace is a difficult one, where deadlines and ultimatums cannot just be imposed and where discussions of the substantial agenda are the only sure means to achieve a lasting end to hostilities,&quot; he said. 
 
Armed Forces spokesman Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla said army units have resumed offensive action against the rebels. 
 
&quot;The rebels have missed a golden opportunity to manifest their commitment to the attainment of much sought peace throughout the land,&quot; he added. 
 
(Reuters)

President Rodrigo Duterte lifted the truce after reports that rebels violated it by killing a militiaman and wounding four others

The Philippine government may still re-impose a ceasefire with Maoist-led guerrillas, a senior administration official said today, a day after it was withdrawn by President Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte lifted the unilateral truce with the communist New People's Army on Saturday evening, six days after it was declared as a goodwill gesture ahead of formal peace negotiations in Oslo next month. The move came after rebels did not respond to a deadline to reciprocate the government's truce. "We may work out a negotiated truce with the Communists," Jesus Dureza, presidential peace adviser, said. "It was in our agenda when the formal peace talks resume in Oslo. The peace talks will go on as scheduled." The peace talks, brokered by Norway, will resume on August 20, four years after bogging down due to rebels' demand for the release of 500 political prisoners. The government has now promised to free them for health and humanitarian reasons. Dureza said he welcomed a statement from rebel leader Jose Maria Siso, who was interviewed on local television hours after Duterte withdrew the ceasefire, saying the communists had also intended to impose a truce but it was overtaken by events. "This is what we have been waiting for," Dureza said in an official statement. "The leadership of the CPP/NPA/NDF announced through the media its belated but still strategic and awaited decision to also declare its own unilateral ceasefire." Duterte also was angered by reports that Maoist-led rebels had killed a militiaman, and wounded four others, in an ambush on Wednesday when they were returning to an army base in Davao del Norte to comply with the government's unilateral truce. Renato Reyes, secretary-general of Bayan (Nation), a left-wing political group, criticised the government for imposing "unrealistic" ultimatums, saying the "peace talks are more complicated than some folks think". "The road to peace is a difficult one, where deadlines and ultimatums cannot just be imposed and where discussions of the substantial agenda are the only sure means to achieve a lasting end to hostilities," he said. Armed Forces spokesman Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla said army units have resumed offensive action against the rebels. "The rebels have missed a golden opportunity to manifest their commitment to the attainment of much sought peace throughout the land," he added. (Reuters)

Philippines may still re-impose withdrawn ceasefire with Maoist-led rebels

The Syrian army today said it was observing a 72-hour ceasefire across the country coinciding with the festival marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. 
 
&quot;A &#39;regime of silence&#39; is applied across all territory of the Syrian Arab Republic for 72 hours from 1:00 am on July 6 to midnight on July 8,&quot; the army said in a statement republished by official media. 
 
The statement did not specify whether the ceasefire extended to military action against jihadists such as the Islamic State (IS) group or the al Qaeda-affiliated Al-Nusra Front. 
 
A ceasefire between regime forces and non-jihadist rebel groups was announced by Russia and the United States in late February but has mostly collapsed amid repeated violations. 
 
There was no immediate indication whether rebel forces opposing President Bashar al-Assad&#39;s regime would abide by the new truce. 
 
The ceasefire coincides with the three-day Eid ul-Fitr festival marking the end of Ramadan, when devout Muslims fast from dawn until dusk. 
 
Assad joined Eid prayers at a mosque in third city Homs today in a rare public appearance outside the capital Damascus. 
 
State television broadcast footage of the president joining worshippers at the Al-Safa mosque in Homs, which is mainly under government control except for a besieged rebel-held neighbourhood on the city&#39;s outskirts. 
 
Previous attempts to implement ceasefires in Syria have repeatedly failed, as have diplomatic efforts to end a five-year civil war that has killed more than 280,000 people and forced millions from their homes. 
 
Shelling reported in Aleppo 
 
Several temporary truces have been announced in recent months for second city Aleppo, scene of some of the heaviest fighting in the war, but have fallen apart. 
 
Aleppo, which was Syria&#39;s commercial and manufacturing hub before the civil war erupted, is divided between a rebel-held east and regime-controlled west. 
 
Eastern districts have faced heavy bombardment including air strikes from regime forces, while rebels regularly fire rockets into the west. 
 
Despite the ceasefire announcement, Aleppo&#39;s eastern areas came under fire today morning, according to residents and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group. 
 
In the eastern Al-Mashad district a civilian was killed and several wounded when artillery fire fell near a mosque hosting Eid prayers, the Observatory said. 
 
&quot;Shells have been falling on the neighbourhood since early this morning,&quot; resident Ahmad Nassif told AFP. 
 
&quot;I had planned to visit family and friends, to bring my children out to play, but we decided to stay inside the house in case the shelling resumes,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;I hope things will calm down a bit during Eid, not for me but for my children.&quot; 
 
Syria&#39;s conflict began five years ago with the brutal repression of anti-government demonstrations and has evolved into a complex multi-front war. 
 
IS emerged from the chaos of the war, seizing control of large parts of Syria and neighbouring Iraq, committing widespread atrocities in areas under its control, and organising and inspiring jihadist attacks across the Middle East and in Western cities. 
 
Washington has backed rebel forces in Syria and Moscow is supporting Assad, but the rise of IS has seen efforts focus on defeating the jihadists. 
 
Russia and the United States launched a major attempt last year to bring about peace talks between Assad and rebel forces, but the negotiations faltered as the partial truce announced in February fell apart. 
 
(AFP)

The truce coincides with the three-day Eid ul-Fitr festival marking the end of Ramzan

The Syrian army today said it was observing a 72-hour ceasefire across the country coinciding with the festival marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. "A 'regime of silence' is applied across all territory of the Syrian Arab Republic for 72 hours from 1:00 am on July 6 to midnight on July 8," the army said in a statement republished by official media. The statement did not specify whether the ceasefire extended to military action against jihadists such as the Islamic State (IS) group or the al Qaeda-affiliated Al-Nusra Front. A ceasefire between regime forces and non-jihadist rebel groups was announced by Russia and the United States in late February but has mostly collapsed amid repeated violations. There was no immediate indication whether rebel forces opposing President Bashar al-Assad's regime would abide by the new truce. The ceasefire coincides with the three-day Eid ul-Fitr festival marking the end of Ramadan, when devout Muslims fast from dawn until dusk. Assad joined Eid prayers at a mosque in third city Homs today in a rare public appearance outside the capital Damascus. State television broadcast footage of the president joining worshippers at the Al-Safa mosque in Homs, which is mainly under government control except for a besieged rebel-held neighbourhood on the city's outskirts. Previous attempts to implement ceasefires in Syria have repeatedly failed, as have diplomatic efforts to end a five-year civil war that has killed more than 280,000 people and forced millions from their homes. Shelling reported in Aleppo Several temporary truces have been announced in recent months for second city Aleppo, scene of some of the heaviest fighting in the war, but have fallen apart. Aleppo, which was Syria's commercial and manufacturing hub before the civil war erupted, is divided between a rebel-held east and regime-controlled west. Eastern districts have faced heavy bombardment including air strikes from regime forces, while rebels regularly fire rockets into the west. Despite the ceasefire announcement, Aleppo's eastern areas came under fire today morning, according to residents and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group. In the eastern Al-Mashad district a civilian was killed and several wounded when artillery fire fell near a mosque hosting Eid prayers, the Observatory said. "Shells have been falling on the neighbourhood since early this morning," resident Ahmad Nassif told AFP. "I had planned to visit family and friends, to bring my children out to play, but we decided to stay inside the house in case the shelling resumes," he said. "I hope things will calm down a bit during Eid, not for me but for my children." Syria's conflict began five years ago with the brutal repression of anti-government demonstrations and has evolved into a complex multi-front war. IS emerged from the chaos of the war, seizing control of large parts of Syria and neighbouring Iraq, committing widespread atrocities in areas under its control, and organising and inspiring jihadist attacks across the Middle East and in Western cities. Washington has backed rebel forces in Syria and Moscow is supporting Assad, but the rise of IS has seen efforts focus on defeating the jihadists. Russia and the United States launched a major attempt last year to bring about peace talks between Assad and rebel forces, but the negotiations faltered as the partial truce announced in February fell apart. (AFP)

Syrian army declares 72-hour nationwide ceasefire

SRH vs GT, IPL 2024: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Gujarat Titans (GT) will lock horns in match 66 of the IPL 2024 on Thursday. The match is slated for May 16 at 7:30 pm IST and will be played at the home ground of SRH at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

SRH, having won seven out of 12 matches, will likely qualify for the playoffs if they win this match. Pat Cummins-led Hyderabad has won two out of their last five matches. GT has won five of their 12 matches. Gujarat, led by Shubman Gill, has been eliminated. GT has won one out of their last five matches, while one match was washed out. They are eight on the points table.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2024-will-there-be-reserve-day-for-rcb-vs-csk-league-match-at-chinnaswamy-721832">IPL 2024: Will there be reserve day for RCB vs CSK league match at Chinnaswamy?</a>

This is going to be a crucial game for the hosts as a win here would nearly seal their spot in the playoffs. However, there are chances of rainfall and it might affect the play. Gujarat is already out of the playoffs race and they would surely look to spoil Hyderabad's chance.

<h2>SRH vs GT, IPL 2024: Head-to-head stats</h2>

In a head-to-head battle, Gujarat Titans have an advantage as the Sunrisers have won only one game against GT in the Indian Premier League. The teams have never met at the Hyderabad pitch, but at the Gujarat pitch, both sides have played two matches with Titans leading by 2-0.

Total matches played: 4

Matches won by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): 1

Matches won by Gujarat Hyderabad (GT): 3

<h2>SRH vs GT, IPL 2024: Pitch report</h2>

Hyderabad’s pitch is known as a batter’s paradise. In the history of IPL, the wicket at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium has seen the highest-ever score of the tournament, the highest aggregate in an IPL match, and the highest team score in the second innings of an IPL during the match between SRH and Mumbai Indians (MI).&nbsp;

<h2>SRH vs GT, IPL 2024: Weather forecast</h2>

The weather in Hyderabad on Thursday will remain pleasant on May 16. The humidity level will be around 57 per cent, and the temperature will hover around 35 degrees Celsius with an 8 per cent chance of rain. The wind speed at the venue will be close to 8 km/h.

<h2>SRH vs GT, IPL 2024: Predicted playing XI</h2>

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH):&nbsp;Sanvir Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Pat Cummins (C), TM Head, Shahbaz Ahmed, Jaydev Unadkat, T Natarajan, B Kumar, K Nitish Kumar Reddy, H Klaasen (wk), M Markande

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/rishabh-pant-is-an-instinctive-captain-sourav-ganguly-backs-dc-star-to-get-better-with-time-721710">‘Rishabh Pant is an instinctive captain’: Sourav Ganguly backs DC star to get better with time</a>

Gujarat Titans (GT):&nbsp;MS Wade (wk), Shubman Gill (C), DA Miller, Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, R Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Kartik Tyagi, Noor Ahmad, MM Sharma, UT Yadav

<h2>SRH vs GT, IPL 2024: Prediction</h2>

According to Google’s win probability, the Sunrisers have a 60 per cent chance of beating Gujarat in their 13th league match. Based on Hyderabad’s performance this season, the Pat Cummins side has a better chance of winning this match to beat GT and qualify for the playoffs. At this point, 16 points should be enough for SRH to qualify.

<h2>SRH vs GT, IPL 2024: Match details</h2>

Match: IPL 2024, Match 66, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) vs Gujarat Titans (GT)

Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium

Live streaming: JioCinema app and website

Live broadcast: Star Sports Network channels

(With inputs from agencies)

'May this be the last day of the war,' said FARC commander Londono after shaking hands with Colombian President Juan Santos

SRH vs GT, IPL 2024: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Gujarat Titans (GT) will lock horns in match 66 of the IPL 2024 on Thursday. The match is slated for May 16 at 7:30 pm IST and will be played at the home ground of SRH at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. SRH, having won seven out of 12 matches, will likely qualify for the playoffs if they win this match. Pat Cummins-led Hyderabad has won two out of their last five matches. GT has won five of their 12 matches. Gujarat, led by Shubman Gill, has been eliminated. GT has won one out of their last five matches, while one match was washed out. They are eight on the points table. Also Read | IPL 2024: Will there be reserve day for RCB vs CSK league match at Chinnaswamy? This is going to be a crucial game for the hosts as a win here would nearly seal their spot in the playoffs. However, there are chances of rainfall and it might affect the play. Gujarat is already out of the playoffs race and they would surely look to spoil Hyderabad's chance. SRH vs GT, IPL 2024: Head-to-head stats In a head-to-head battle, Gujarat Titans have an advantage as the Sunrisers have won only one game against GT in the Indian Premier League. The teams have never met at the Hyderabad pitch, but at the Gujarat pitch, both sides have played two matches with Titans leading by 2-0. Total matches played: 4 Matches won by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): 1 Matches won by Gujarat Hyderabad (GT): 3 SRH vs GT, IPL 2024: Pitch report Hyderabad’s pitch is known as a batter’s paradise. In the history of IPL, the wicket at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium has seen the highest-ever score of the tournament, the highest aggregate in an IPL match, and the highest team score in the second innings of an IPL during the match between SRH and Mumbai Indians (MI). SRH vs GT, IPL 2024: Weather forecast The weather in Hyderabad on Thursday will remain pleasant on May 16. The humidity level will be around 57 per cent, and the temperature will hover around 35 degrees Celsius with an 8 per cent chance of rain. The wind speed at the venue will be close to 8 km/h. SRH vs GT, IPL 2024: Predicted playing XI Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): Sanvir Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Pat Cummins (C), TM Head, Shahbaz Ahmed, Jaydev Unadkat, T Natarajan, B Kumar, K Nitish Kumar Reddy, H Klaasen (wk), M Markande Also Read | ‘Rishabh Pant is an instinctive captain’: Sourav Ganguly backs DC star to get better with time Gujarat Titans (GT): MS Wade (wk), Shubman Gill (C), DA Miller, Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, R Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Kartik Tyagi, Noor Ahmad, MM Sharma, UT Yadav SRH vs GT, IPL 2024: Prediction According to Google’s win probability, the Sunrisers have a 60 per cent chance of beating Gujarat in their 13th league match. Based on Hyderabad’s performance this season, the Pat Cummins side has a better chance of winning this match to beat GT and qualify for the playoffs. At this point, 16 points should be enough for SRH to qualify. SRH vs GT, IPL 2024: Match details Match: IPL 2024, Match 66, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) vs Gujarat Titans (GT) Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium Live streaming: JioCinema app and website Live broadcast: Star Sports Network channels (With inputs from agencies)

After 5 decades of fighting, Colombia signs ceasefire with FARC rebels

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