Russia calls off ceasefire in Syria's south

By Adham Kako

ANKARA

Russia announced on Wednesday that the cease-fire deal with the U.S. and Jordan in Syria's south is over.

Khmeimim Air Base in the port city of Latakia said on Twitter that the cease-fire was violated by opposition forces.

"Khmeimim Air Base announces end of agreement to reduce escalation in southern Syria," said the tweet, adding that the cease-fire on deescalation in Idlib is still in place.

The Daraa and Quneitra provinces in Syria's southwest were one of the four de-escalation zones established by Astana Process' guarantor countries Turkey, Iran and Russia in May 2017.

Two months later, Russia, Jordan and the U.S. included the provinces in a separate special agreement, making the U.S. stop supporting opposition in the region.

Despite all warnings from the U.S., Iran started an operation in Daraa on June 20, trying to capture the city in the south.

The United Nations warned on Tuesday that a total of 750,000 lives are in danger in Daraa, and 45,000 people have been displaced.