The Syrian opposition said on Friday that armed groups fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will respect the two-week truce, which goes into effect midnight local time, under one condition: the government and its allies are prohibited from launching attacks under the pretext of fighting terrorism.
"The High Negotiations Committee confirms the agreement of the Free Syrian Army factions and the armed opposition to a temporary truce from midnight Saturday," an HNC statement said, according to Reuters.
However in exchange, the HNC said the government and its allies must not use the "proposed text to continue the hostile operations against the opposition factions under the excuse of fighting terrorism."
The HNC said the agreement was reached after negotiations with nearly 100 opposition groups, reported Sputnik. The identities of the groups weren't mentioned in the statement, but they said it will circulate a list of those who have agreed later Friday.
The U.S.-Russia brokered ceasefire was announced on Feb. 22 by U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Participants are expected to "cease attacks with any weapons, including rockets, mortars, and anti-tank guided missiles" and "refrain from acquiring or seeking to acquire territory from other parties to the ceasefire." They must also allow "unhindered and sustained" access to humanitarian assistance missions.
The only parties exempt from the truce are ISIS, Jabhat al-Nusra, and "other terrorist organizations designated by the UN Security Council," reported RT. Airstrikes against any organization that falls into that category are expected to continue.
The truce will be monitored by a task force co-chaired by Washington and Moscow. A direct hotline will be setup between the two to avoid internal squabbles and improve communications.
