Tripartite de-escalation deal to go into effect today

AMMAN — A tripartite agreement to back a ceasefire in south-west of Syria that will go into effect today is vital to eliminate terrorist groups and create an environment to push for a political solution in Syria, a government official said Saturday.

The government official, who preferred anonymity, said Jordan, the US and Russia reached a deal Friday in Amman that entails a ceasefire along a line of contact agreed upon between Syrian government forces and associated troops on one side and rebels on the other.

The three parties agreed that the ceasefire aims at permanently de-escalating the tension in southern Syria, ending acts of hostility, restoring stability and allowing free access of humanitarian aid for this key area in Syria, said the source.

The deal is important for uprooting terrorist groups such as the so-called Khalid Ibn Al Walid Army, Al Nusra and any pockets affiliated to Daesh near the borders, said the source, adding that the Khalid Ibn Al Waleed Army is around 2 kilometres away from the Jordanian border and groups some 2,000 members.

“One strategic objective of the tripartite deal is to eradicate terrorism wherever it existed in Syria…It is also necessary to end the hostilities,” said the source.

“Jordan, Russia, the US, the opposition and even the Syrian regime have interests in eradicating terrorism,” the source said.

The official stressed on the importance of the credibility of the tripartite agreement, which he said helps in pushing for a political solution in Syria.

It is an indicator of the credibility of all powers who all have key interests in ending terrorism, said the official.

“The success of the deal helps entrench confidence among all the powers and moving forward towards a political solution,” he added.

In the deal, the three countries voiced their commitment to working on a political solution based on Geneva track and UN Security Council Resolution 2254, in order to guarantee Syria’s independence and sovereignty.