Can Syrians trust the current US-Russia truce?

Camelia Entekhabi-Fard in her article in Al-Arabiya discusses the truce in Syria while negotiations carry on with the US and Russia, with the UN acting as an observer. Kerry and Lavrov agreed on this 10-day ceasefire in Geneva on Friday September 9 without inviting any of the other countries to the talks in Geneva despite their significant influence on the frontlines such as Iran. For its part, it cautiously welcomed the ceasefire on Sunday September 11 but also expressed concern and doubt regarding the truce.

Iran does not recognize Assad’s opposition and does not differentiate between them and terrorist groups, conversely to the international community.

Considering such differences and taking into account the notion that the Assad regime will not accept any political transition or appease its long-suffering people, it is difficult to believe that this truce will last very long.

Hours before the truce began, Assad, who appeared in Daraya for Eid al-Adha prayers on Monday, vowed to retake all of Syria.

For its part, Ahrar al-Sham didn’t accept the ceasefire which means that fighting will likely continue.

As the Kurds, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran have not been included in the talks between Russia and the US, keeping these influential key players committed to the ceasefire in the long term will also be difficult.

While Iran and Saudi Arabia are experiencing a particularly tense moment in relations, it is difficult to believe that the American viewpoint will be accepted by the Saudis. On the other hand, the Iranian camp has different views to Russia on the Syria talks. However, they have no choice but to follow Russia’s lead due to ruined relations with most Arab countries, the writer argues and concludes by wondering: Will this truce hold and will the world put an end to this endless crisis?