Despite claims of peace, the international transfer of weapons to the Middle East is rising dramatically. Analysts say the middle eastern kingdom overtook India, and along with the United Arab Emirates it imported more defense supplies than all of Europe.Russian firepower has made Mr Assad more secure and his US supported armed opposition weaker. Assad said it would halt "combat operations" in line with the peace plan (truce / cease fire) announced by the US and Russia. But the opposition said its acceptance depended on Assad government forces ending sieges and air strikes of civilians.
Bashar al-Zoubi of the Yarmouk Army and Rebel commanders expressed doubts about this newest cease fire accord, saying it only provides cover for Assad government forces and Russian aircraft to continue attacking opposition-held areas. They say the Russian regime will use the excuse of fighting terrorism to openly target areas held by the revolutionaries.
The rebel factions (al-Qaeda / US) say their committed to ending Syrian bloodshed but warned that the acceptance of the truce is conditional; saying all parties must end sieges, halt aerial and artillery attacks, and release detainees. The Syrian government (Assad/Russia) later called a halt to combat operations ( but continued airstrikes???)
