US, Russia agree ‘essential’ to preserve southern Syria truce;: Jordan

AMMAN – Reuters

Jordan said on May 28 that it was discussing developments in southern Syria with Washington and Moscow and that all three parties agreed on the need to preserve a “de-escalation” zone they brokered last year and which has reduced violence.

A senior official who requested anonymity told Reuters the three countries that signed last year’s deal to create the zone “saw eye to eye” on the need to preserve it as a key step to “accelerate efforts to reach a political solution” in Syria.

The truce - the first U.S. peacekeeping effort in the war under Donald Trump’s presidency - has reduced violence in a particularly sensitive region that includes Syrian territory bordering Israel.

Meanwhile, a Syrian state-run newspaper said Damascus will keep fighting the country’s rebels - or “terrorists” as the government calls opposition fighters - despite U.S. warnings against a new offensive in southern Daraa province.

Washington has cautioned it would take “firm and appropriate measures” to protect a cease-fire in southern Syria if President Bashar Assad’s forces move against rebels there.

The Al-Baath daily said in an editorial published on May 28 that the U.S. threat underscores the “dirty American role in the terrorist war” against Syria.