Turkey and Russia have brokered a draft, nationwide cease-fire in Syria, the Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency reported Wednesday.
The report cited an anonymous source saying that Turkey and Russia would attempt to bring the cease-fire into effect at midnight. However, “terrorist organizations” are excluded from the deal. Russia has described a variety of opponents of the Syrian regime as “terrorists.”
Despite a possible cease-fire, Turkey’s foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said a “political transition” is not possible regarding Syrian President Bashar Assad, whom Turkey opposes.
“There are two texts ready on a solution in Syria. One is about a political resolution and the other is about a cease-fire. They can be implemented anytime,” Cavusoglu reportedly said. “The whole world knows it is not possible for there to be a political transition with Assad, and we also all know that it is impossible for these people to unite around Assad.”
Many attempted cease-fires have crumbled over the years. However, this one comes after Syrian government forces regained control of they key city of Aleppo.
In Syria, Turkey and Russia have been on opposite sides of the conflict — with Turkey backing opposition groups and Russia propping up the Assad regime.
During the six-year civil war in Syria, an estimated 400,000 people have been killed.
