Russia says Syria ceasefire breached 60 times

The Russian military says rebels have violated a ceasefire in Syria brokered by Washington and Moscow 60 times since it came into force sunset Monday.

Lt. Gen. Viktor Poznikhir of the Russian military’s General Staff says that the ultraconservative Ahrar al-Sham insurgent group and other opposition forces were behind most violations of the truce. He adds that Syrian government forces haven’t returned fire.

Poznikhir said Wednesday that Moscow backs the extension of the truce for another 48 hours.

He insists that Russia has fully met its obligations under the truce, but voiced doubt that the US would be able to fulfill its pledge to persuade the opposition to sever links with al-Qaeda’s branch in Syria, which has changed its name from al-Nusra Front to Fatah al-Sham Front.

— AP