Syria conflict: Obama says next few weeks 'critical'

The next few weeks, including a two-week ceasefire set to begin on Friday, will be “critical” to Syria’s future, according to President Obama.
Obama said the truce would only succeed if all parties, including the Syrian government and Russia, adhered to the terms of the agreement and ceased all hostilities in the war-torn region, reports the BBC.
“The world will be watching,” he added.
Obama acknowledged that violence in the country will not immediately cease due to rivalry between rebel groups and the ongoing effort to eradicate the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS) extremist group.
“More people are realizing that [ISIS] is not a caliphate, it’s a crime ring. They are not winning over hearts and minds, they are under pressure,” he said.
The main opposition umbrella group representing rebels trying to depose Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has accepted the two week truce, as has a northern Kurdish militia called the Popular Protection Units (YPG), although the latter said it would retaliate against any attacks.
The High Negotiations Committee, however, has expressed apprehension that Russian and Syrian forces would continue airstrikes against rebel allies of Jabhat al-Nusra, a militant group affiliated with al-Qaeda that, along with ISIS, will be excluded from the ceasefire.
[BBC]

Comments

Zika-Linked Cases of Microcephaly Rise in Brazil

The number of cases of microcephaly in Brazil associated with the Zika virus has risen to 4,863 —up from 4,690 a week ago. Confirmed cases of the virus reached 641, while suspected cases now total 4,222, Reuters reported on Wednesday morning, citing the Ministry of Health. The Zika epidemic—which is now spreading through the Americas and prompting a dedicated response from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—is centered in Brazil. Read more: How Brazil Uncovered the Possible Connection Between Zika and Microcephaly Doctors believe the virus is linked to microcephaly, a birth defect involving an abnormally small head and incomplete brain development, though there is not yet definitive scientific proof of the link.

Kanye West Calls Taylor Swift A ‘Fake A**’ In Violent ‘SNL’ Rant: Listen To His Meltdown Kanye West has officially lost his marbles. The rapper, who on his new album claims he made Taylor Swift famous, called her a “fake a**” during an epic meltdown backstage at Saturday Night Live on Feb. 13. Listen to the entire thing here! In a crazy audio clip released by Page Six , Kanye is heard screaming, rather violently, at the staff at SNL , saying, “Don’t f*** with me.” “Are they f***ing crazy? Whoa by 50 percent [I am more influential than] Stanley Kubrick, Picasso, Apostle Paul, f***ing Picasso and Escobar. By 50 percent more influential than any other human being. Don’t f*** with me. Don’t f*** with me. Don’t f*** with me. By 50 percent dead or alive, by 50 percent for the next 1,000 years. Stanley Kubrick, ‘Ye,” he added. As HollywoodLife.com ...

Australia Has Rescued 37 People Stranded on an Icebreaker Ship in Antarctica

Australia sent a mission to rescue 37 people who were stranded aboard an Australian icebreaking ship that ran aground after a severe blizzard Wednesday. Australian officials said on Friday that they were launching a rescue mission to retrieve the members of the icebreaker’s expedition and bring them to Mawson Station — an Australian research facility on Antarctica — reports the BBC. Thirty-one crew members will stay onboard the 4,311-ton vessel, the Aurora Australis, and work to refloat it. All 68 passengers and crew are safe, authorities said, and the vessel itself incurred only a small breach in its hull. The ship ran aground Wednesday morning when a massive blizzard untethered it from its mooring lines. [ BBC ]

Welcome to 5Cornerkicks Blog World

Search This Blog