US, Russia-backed truce in Syria continues despite lapses

The cessation of hostilities in Syria largely held on Sept. 16 despite minor clashes both in Aleppo and Damascus and a duel of words between Russia and the U.S., the two countries that support the silence of arms.

Heavy fighting broke out in the Syrian capital Damascus between government forces and an insurgent group on Sept. 16 in some of the most serious clashes since a U.S.-Russia brokered cease-fire went into effect on Sept. 12 and brought relative calm to the war-ravaged country, the Associated Press reported.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the fighting between government troops and rebels is concentrated in the neighborhood of Jobar, next to Qaboun, where rebels have had a presence for years.

Insurgents shelled government-held areas in the eastern Damascus neighborhood of Qaboun, wounding three people, Syrian state media said. SANA said the shelling violates the cease-fire.

The Syrian army has returned troops and arms to the Castello Road near the city of Aleppo, through which U.N. humanitarian aid is expected to reached the besieged people of the city, after coming under rebel fire, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sept. 16.

Senior Russian officer Vladimir Savchenko said on the same day that government troops have returned to the Castello Road after aborting a pullback because rebels were not withdrawing as agreed.

"As a result, with nightfall approaching, the weapons and military hardware withdrawn by government troops were returned to their previous positions," Savchenko said. 

A cease-fire deal that went into force at sundown on Sept. 12 - meant to end hostilities and ensure aid deliveries - also calls for the demilitarization of the Castello Road, the main route...