'Huge drop' in civilian deaths after Syria truce: monitor

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Source: AFP

BEIRUT (AFP) -

Twenty-four civilians have been killed in the first five days of a landmark truce in parts of Syria, a sharp drop for a war where dozens die daily, a monitor said Thursday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told AFP that the number, gathered from areas where the ceasefire had come into effect, included five women and six children.

"Compare that number to Friday, the day before the truce came into effect: 63 civilians, including 11 children, died that day alone," said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.

He called it a "huge drop", adding that the daily average during the month of February was 38 civilians killed.

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1. Gwynne Dyer: Russia's divide and conquer plan in Syria brings US closer

So far the Russian plan for a ceasefire in Syria is working remarkably well. The truce that came into effect on Saturday had been observed with only minor violations on all the relevant fronts, and the United Nations' humanitarian co-ordinator in Syria, Yacoub el-Hillo, called it "the best opportunity the Syrian people have had over the past five years for lasting peace and stability".

Notice the choice of words: not Syria's best chance for democracy or reunification, just for "peace and stability". In fact, the truce is a big step towards the partition of the country.

The old Syria cannot be revived, but at least the killing will stop for most people - if the truce can be converted into a permanent ceasefire, which is far from certain.

When the Russian military intervention in Syria began only five months ago (September 30), even this unsatisfactory outcome seemed to be out of reach.

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