“I will not interpret it. You read the resolution and you interpret it yourself. Everybody wants to interpret it the way… he or she interprets it,” Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said when asked by Rudaw whether the resolution unanimously adopted by the Security Council will mean Turkey must end its operation in Afrin.
He noted that the language used in the resolution dictates the ceasefire applies “throughout Syria,” not just in Eastern Ghouta, but “other areas which also suffer from humanitarian dire situation should be addressed.”
Asked about access for humanitarian aid, Nebenzia said it must be “Everywhere. Everywhere throughout Syria.”
Chief of Staff of Iranian Armed Forces Maj. Gen. Mohammad Hossein Baqeri has said that Iran and Syria are committed the UN ceasefire resolution, Tasnim news reported. He insisted, however, that the truce does not cover Eastern Ghouta and that "mop-up operations" will continue.
Tasnim, which has ties to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, announced Syrian forces and allies began a major offensive in Eastern Ghouta on Sunday.
Iran is backing forces on the ground fighting for the regime.
New regime strikes on Eastern Ghouta have been reported Sunday morning.
Turkey, whose forces are currently carrying out operations against the Kurdish canton of Afrin, welcomed the UN resolution.
“From the beginning, Turkey has spared no effort in every platform for the de-escalation and cessation of the conflict in Syria, as well as the establishment of a comprehensive ceasefire and supported the steps taken by the international community to this end,” read a statement from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hami Aksoy.
He noted that Turkey has established six observation posts in Idlib as “testament” to Turkey’s efforts to de-escalate the situation in Idlib.
The UN ceasefire will not apply to Damascus’ offensive against al-Qaeda-linked groups in Idlib, however, as all “individuals, groups, undertakings and entities” associated with ISIS or al-Qaeda have been exempted from the truce as a concession to Moscow.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry did not specifically mention its military operations in Afrin, but stressed it will “remain resolute in fighting against the terrorist organizations that threaten the territorial integrity and political unity of Syria.”
Ankara has framed its Afrin offensive as an anti-terror operation, alleging the Kurdish groups it is fighting are terrorist organizations with ties to the PKK. The Kurdish groups deny the charge.
The YPG have announced that they will commit to the Security Council’s ceasefire, but reserve the right to respond in self-defence.
Turkish forces took another five villages in Afrin on Sunday morning, according to state media, naming five villages in the western Rajo district.
As of Sunday morning, Turkey has taken control of some 19 percent of Afrin, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The UK-based conflict monitor reported that Turkish fire and airstrikes on Afrin had intensified since pro-Syrian government militias arrived in the canton last week to bolster Kurdish groups on the borders.
The Observatory said that more than a quarter of all territory in Afrin Turkey has taken, came under its control after the arrival of the pro-regime forces.
Since Turkey launched its Operation Olive Branch on January 20, 129 civilians have been killed, including 24 children and 19 women, according to the Observatory. Health officials in Afrin have expressed concern about dwindling medical supplies.
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