New eruption of violence immediately after the official start of the ceasefire

The planned ceasefire between the regime and the opposition is proving difficult to establish in some parts of Syria. Explosions have been recorded on the humanitarian aid supply line in the part of eastern Aleppo held by rebels, reports the British Guardian, according to NAP.

Attacks were also recorded on Monday evening in Homs, Hama, and Deir Azzour, precisely when the truce agreed between Russia and the US was supposed to begin. Hopes for the realization and maintenance of the agreement were low over the weekend, with opposition groups claiming they were unable to force each other to comply with and respect certain points of the agreement, such as which areas remain valid targets for bombing or who will receive aid.

US Secretary of State John Kerry stated that early reports indicate a certain reduction in violence, but also sporadic gunfire, adding that it is "too early to draw definitive conclusions."

- I have no doubt that there will be reports of violations here and there, but that is the nature of a ceasefire, Kerry said. "There will be many tests in the coming days, but this plan has a chance to succeed," the Secretary of State added.

Kerry also noted that Assad's regime can carry out airstrikes against the al-Nusra Front only with the approval of Russia and the US.

This claim was later refuted by the spokesperson for the US Department of State, John Kirby:

- The agreement announced last week does not, under any circumstances, authorize the US and Russia to approve airstrikes by the Syrian regime, and it is not something we see as a possibility in the future. The primary purpose of this agreement is to prevent Syrian regime air forces from flying or conducting attacks in parts of the country where the opposition or Nusra are present. The purpose of a joint campaign, if and when established, would be to coordinate military action between the US and Russia, not for any other party.

Kerry praised the opposition for the courage shown in separating from al-Nusra, which has officially separated from al-Qaeda, but which the US still considers linked to al-Qaeda. Kerry also warned other groups to distance themselves from the al-Nusra Front on the Syrian battlefield.

- We cannot simply adopt a moral hazard because they are fighting fiercely and allow al-Qaeda to be our weapon against Assad, Kerry said, adding that such a strategy would be "insane and ultimately self-destructive," and could increase the level of terror in Europe, the Middle East, and elsewhere.

- I would not advise the opposition, which receives support from countries for whom Nusra is a threat, to continue cooperating with Nusra, Kerry said. "We have been clear - if they join al-Nusra in attacks, they have chosen Nusra and taken the risk."

If the ceasefire holds, Moscow and Washington will open a joint command center that will decide on targets.