Syrian civil society groups are alarmed by the growing number of ceasefire violations taking place during the Geneva talks. A tightening of the siege in al Waer and a sharp increase in shelling and indiscriminate bombing in Qabun, Barzeh, Tishreen and western Harasta by the Syrian regime and Russia, killed dozens of civilians and threatened to imperil the ceasefire. The Syrian regime has refused to engage in substantive talks in Geneva – deliberately obstructing the efforts of the UN Special Envoy to engage on governance discussions and political transition while attacks on the ground increase.
“Syrians can’t afford for the regime – or any party in Geneva – to engage in distractions or obstructionism”, Al Achi continued. “Geneva provides a platform to achieve the peace Syrians deserve, it must not be used to ramp up killing or waste time. As civil society, it is we first and foremost that will have to buy into and implement any deal. And we are clear - we want and require Syrian parties to agree to end the violence and secure a political transition. The parties here in Geneva have an obligation to participate constructively in peace talks, and abide by the ceasefire. If that proves impossible, we expect the international community to take the steps necessary to enforce the ceasefire and apply credible consequences for those who would violate it.”