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           Syrian Rebels Pledge Retaliation for Cease-fire Violations

   by VOA News

   A collection of Syrian rebel groups said Monday they were launching a
   "battle" in response to pro-government violations of a cessation of
   hostilities agreement that has been in place since late February.

   The truce has sharply reduced violence in a country where hundreds of
   thousands of people have died and millions more have fled since
   protests and a violent crackdown evolved into a civil war five years
   ago.

   But both sides have accused the other of repeated violations during the
   past two months, and the rebel groups, including the Free Syrian Army,
   announced in a joint statement their pledge to retaliate "with force."

   Violence has increased in the past few weeks in northern Syria,
   especially in Aleppo province where government forces, Islamic state
   militants and rebels have all battled.

   The United Nations launched a new round of indirect peace talks last
   week between the Syrian government and opposition, which continue
   Monday in Geneva.  Some opposition officials have threatened to walk
   away from the process because of the escalation in violence and
   persisting major differences on the future of President Bashar
   al-Assad.

   U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura is leading the negotiations and has said
   he envisions multiple rounds of talks in order to reach an agreement on
   a political transition with a new constitution and elections in Syria.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/syrian-rebels-pledge-retaliation-for-
   cease-fire-violations/3290113.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/syrian-rebels-pledge-retaliation-for-cease-fire-violations/3290113.html