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Rebel fighters down aircraft near Syrian battle front, activists say Rebel fighters down aircraft near Syrian battle front, activists say
(35 minutes later)
BEIRUT — Rebels in northern Syria downed an apparent warplane on Tuesday, according to a monitoring group and activists, as a partial truce showed further signs of fraying as fighting spreads and negotiators struggle to advance peace bids. BEIRUT — Rebels in northern Syria downed an apparent warplane Tuesday, according to a monitoring group and activists, as a partial truce showed further signs of fraying and as fighting spreads and negotiators struggle to advance peace bids.
The aircraft caught fire and crashed near the city of Aleppo, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group. The origin and make of the plane are not clear, although jets from Syria’s government and Russia are suspected of carrying out bombing raids in the area.The aircraft caught fire and crashed near the city of Aleppo, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group. The origin and make of the plane are not clear, although jets from Syria’s government and Russia are suspected of carrying out bombing raids in the area.
It also was unclear what type of ground weapons could have been used to target the aircraft.It also was unclear what type of ground weapons could have been used to target the aircraft.
[Inside Syria’s war: View from 3 cities][Inside Syria’s war: View from 3 cities]
Rebel forces — including some factions backed by the West — have heavy machine guns and other arms. But some rebel allies in the region, led by Saudi Arabia, have called recently to give the fighters greater firepower such as anti-aircraft systems. Rebel forces — including some factions backed by the West — have heavy machine guns and other arms. But some of the region’s rebel allies, led by Saudi Arabia, have called recently to give the fighters greater firepower, such as antiaircraft systems.
A video posted on Facebook purported to show the wreckage and an angry mob thronging the pilot, who apparently survived. The video’s authenticity could not be independently verified.A video posted on Facebook purported to show the wreckage and an angry mob thronging the pilot, who apparently survived. The video’s authenticity could not be independently verified.
In November, Turkey shot down a Russian warplane over Syria, an incident that dramatically escalated tensions in what has become a volatile proxy conflict for world powers — with the West and allies backing rebels, while Russia and Iran support the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In November, Turkey shot down a Russian warplane over Syria, an incident that dramatically escalated tensions in what has become a volatile proxy conflict for world powers — with the West and its allies backing rebels, while Russia and Iran support the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
In recent days, rebels forces have fought intense battles alongside militants from al-Qaeda’s Syria affiliate, Jabhat al-Nusra, near Aleppo and in a northwestern province that borders Turkey. In recent days, rebel forces have fought intense battles alongside militants from al-Qaeda’s Syria affiliate, Jabhat al-Nusra, near Aleppo and in a northwestern province that borders Turkey.
[In Aleppo: Rubble on one side, restaurants on the other][In Aleppo: Rubble on one side, restaurants on the other]
The opposition groups have attempted to seize a number of villages from forces aligned with Assad’s government, which in turn has been accused of numerous violations of the nationwide cease-fire that took hold on Feb. 27. The opposition groups have attempted to seize a number of villages from forces aligned with Assad’s government, which in turn has been accused of numerous violations of the nationwide cease-fire that took hold Feb. 27.
“Our attacks are a response to ongoing regime violations of the truce,” said Ahmed Haj Ali, a spokesperson for the 1st Coastal Division, a rebel outfit that is affiliated with the umbrella Free Syrian Army group. “Our attacks are a response to ongoing regime violations of the truce,” said Ahmed Haj Ali, a spokesman for the 1st Coastal Division, a rebel outfit that is affiliated with the umbrella Free Syrian Army group.
The worsening violence could threaten the momentum of talks in Geneva that resumed last month as part of a renewed international effort, led by Russia and the United States, to end Syria’s devastating civil war.The worsening violence could threaten the momentum of talks in Geneva that resumed last month as part of a renewed international effort, led by Russia and the United States, to end Syria’s devastating civil war.
The first round of those negotiations ended last month on a relatively positive note. Staffan de Mistura, the U.N. envoy to Syria and mediator for the talks, plans to reconvene with government and opposition delegations in the Swiss city this month.The first round of those negotiations ended last month on a relatively positive note. Staffan de Mistura, the U.N. envoy to Syria and mediator for the talks, plans to reconvene with government and opposition delegations in the Swiss city this month.
“We are all surprised at how long this cessation of hostilities has lasted, but it still contains profound flaws and ambiguities,” said Emile Hokayem, a Middle East analyst at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.“We are all surprised at how long this cessation of hostilities has lasted, but it still contains profound flaws and ambiguities,” said Emile Hokayem, a Middle East analyst at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.
“But the fighting has not stopped.” “But the fighting has not stopped,” he said.
[Scenes of misery, hints of hope in Aleppo][Scenes of misery, hints of hope in Aleppo]
The cease-fire, which serves as basis for the talks, has received firm backing from both Russia and the United States. But while violence has been reduced, Hokayem said, a task force to monitor violations that Moscow and Washington jointly chair lacks an enforcement mechanism. The cease-fire, which serves as the basis for the talks, has received firm backing from Russia and the United States. Although violence has been reduced, Hokayem said, a task force to monitor violations that Moscow and Washington jointly chair lacks an enforcement mechanism.
Warring parties have repeatedly flagged alleged violations, which still are committed daily, especially by government forces, analysts and Syrian rebels say.Warring parties have repeatedly flagged alleged violations, which still are committed daily, especially by government forces, analysts and Syrian rebels say.
Over the weekend, an apparent Syrian government warplane bombed a hospital in Azaz, a rebel-held town near the Turkish border.Over the weekend, an apparent Syrian government warplane bombed a hospital in Azaz, a rebel-held town near the Turkish border.
Last week, government aircraft bombarded a rebel-held suburb of the capital, Damascus, killing more than 30 people, according to monitoring groups and activists.Last week, government aircraft bombarded a rebel-held suburb of the capital, Damascus, killing more than 30 people, according to monitoring groups and activists.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring organization, said 12 children and one emergency responder were among those killed in the attack in the town of Deir al-Asafir. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that 12 children and one emergency responder were among those killed in the attack in the town, Deir al-Asafir.
That incident drew strong rebukes from Western powers, particularly from French Foreign Ministry spokesman Romain Nadal.That incident drew strong rebukes from Western powers, particularly from French Foreign Ministry spokesman Romain Nadal.
“This attack, which deliberately targeted civilians, including children, shows that the regime is continuing its abuses and violating the truce,” said Nadal, who condemned the Syrian government.“This attack, which deliberately targeted civilians, including children, shows that the regime is continuing its abuses and violating the truce,” said Nadal, who condemned the Syrian government.
Zakaria Zakaria in Istanbul contributed to this report.Zakaria Zakaria in Istanbul contributed to this report.