Kerry welcomes new Syria ceasefire deal

The United States and Russia have brokered a ceasefire deal which includes the Syrian city of Aleppo, where fierce fighting has claimed over 280 civilian lives since late April.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry who announced the renewed cessation of hostilities agreement said he expected all parties to abide by it.

“We expect all of the parties to the cessation of hostilities to fully abide by the cessation in Aleppo, that means the regime and the opposition alike.”

#BREAKING US, Russia agree to extend Syria truce to Aleppo: Kerry

— AFP news agency (@AFP) May 4, 2016

Kerry said we all were looking up to Russia “as a co-chair of the International Syria Support Group to help press or not help but to press, since they have the strongest relationship apparently with the regime, to press them for the regime’s compliance with this effort.”

Media reports indicate that the Syrian regime has said it will respect the implementation of the cessation of hostilities agreement in Aleppo and surrounding areas.

A Syrian opposition spokesperson, Salem al-Meslet, is quoted by the VOA as saying: “The cease-fire must, without exception, cover all of Syria, including Aleppo. Otherwise, it will not succeed.”

Aleppo has been the scene of increased fighting in Syria in recent days.

The renewed violence breaks a US and Russia sponsored ceasefire which has held since February.

U.S. officials have said that while there had been reports of fighting in Aleppo since the cease-fire took effect, violence overall had reduced.