Russia keeps bombing despite Syria truce; Assad vows to fight on

MUNICH/AMMAN , REUTERS, Feb 12, 2016 –  Major powers agreed on Friday to a pause in combat in Syria, but Russia pressed on with its relentless bombing in support of its ally Bashar al-Assad, who vowed to fight on until he regains full control of the country.
Although billed as a potential breakthrough, the “cessation of hostilities” agreement does not take effect for a week.
If implemented, the deal hammered out at five hours of late night talks in Munich would allow humanitarian aid
to reach besieged towns.
But several Western countries said there was no hope for progress without a halt to the Russian bombing, which has decisively turned the balance of power in favor of Assad.
Rebels said the town of Tal Rifaat in northern Aleppo province was the target of intensive bombing by Russian planes on Friday morning. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring body, said warplanes believed to be Russian also attacked towns in northern Homs.
The news agency AFP quoted Assad as saying he would continue to fight while talks took place. He would retake the entire country, although this could take a long time, he said.
Another week of fighting would give the Damascus government and its Russian, Lebanese and Iranian allies time to press on with the encirclement of Aleppo, Syria’s biggest city before the war.
The cessation of hostilities agreement falls short of a formal ceasefire, since it was not signed by the main warring parties – the opposition and government forces.
Implementing it will now be the key, said U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry: “What we need to see in the next few days are actions on the ground, in the field.”