Barack Obama warns Russia ‘world will be watching’ Syria ceasefire

Syria Ceasefire: President Barack Obama said all parties that are part of the cessation of activities need to end attacks, including aerial bombardment. Humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach areas under siege (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

US President Barack Obama put the onus for upholding a ceasefire in Syria firmly on the regime and its Russian ally, warning Moscow and Damascus that the “world will be watching.” Hours before the Saturday cessation of hostilities comes into force, Obama huddled with his top national security advisors yesterday to plot the way forward and discuss the campaign against the Islamic State group.

“Everybody knows what needs to happen,” Obama said, welcoming a partial ceasefire that has ravaged Syria for five years, killing 270,000 people and displacing more than half of the population. “All parties that are part of the cessation of activities need to end attacks, including aerial bombardment. Humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach areas under siege.”