New Year of the war

Turkish and Russian bombers struck the positions of the Islamic State terrorist group in the north of Syria. It is reported by Reuters with reference to the Turkish military.

As a result of the blows of Turkish military aircraft and artillery, 22 militants of IG were killed, the report said. At the same time, Russian aircraft inflicted bomb strokes against the positions of Islamists in the Al-Bab region. In recent weeks, the Turkish armed forces besiege this city as part of the operation "Euphrates Shield".

Meanwhile, on the eve of the Syrian government aircraft of the army resumed the bombing of the positions of the rebels near Damascus. This happened on the third day of the ceasefire agreement. Air strikes were inflicted on the districts of the Vadi Barada valley, where government troops and their allies began operations against the opposition more than a week ago.

On Thursday, President Vladimir Putin said that the Syrian government and the armed opposition had agreed on the ceasefire and are ready to start peace negotiations. "Three documents have been signed. The first document between the Syrian government and the armed opposition to the ceasefire in the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic. The second document is a set of measures to control the ceasefire. And the third document is a readiness for peace negotiations on Syrian settlement," Putin said.

At the same time, the president admitted that the reached agreements on Syria are fragile. “All the agreements reached, we perfectly understand this, they are very fragile, they require special attention and patience, a professional approach to these issues and constant contact with our partners,” Putin said.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the truce would enter into force at midnight on Friday. According to him, the detachments who signed the ceasefire in Syria include about 62 thousand people. “In addition, conditions have been created to reduce the Russian group of troops in Syria,” said Shoigu.

Putin agreed with a proposal to reduce the military presence in Syria. “We will certainly continue to fight international terrorism and continue to support the legitimate Syrian government in the fight against terrorism,” the president emphasized.

On December 31, the Syrian rebels announced cases of a violation of a truce by government forces. Representatives of the opposition warned that if the attacks of the army of Bashar al -Assad continued, they will consider the ceasefire agreement guaranteed by Russia and Turkey invalid.

On the same day, the UN Security Council unanimously approved the Russian resolution on a truce in Syria . The document contains the delivery of humanitarian aid as soon as possible. The resolution also calls for a political settlement of the conflict.