Over 40 moderate Syrian opposition groups sign up to truce

Leaders of more than 40 moderate Syrian opposition groups have signed up to the cessation of hostilities in Syria, and reconciliation agreements have been reached through Russia's mediation with the heads of local administrations in 51 populated areas, Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi, the chief of the main operational directorate of the Russian armed forces' General Staff, told journalists on March 18.

"A total of 43 deals have been signed with leaders of moderate opposition armed groups who pledged that units under their command would stop fighting, including with the commander of the Army of Tribes unit, Halafi Turki al Hassan, acting near Tell Abyad in the Homs governorate," Rudskoi said.

"Reconciliation agreements have been reached through Russia's mediation with the heads of administrations in 51 populated areas, including 37 in the Hama governorate, six in the Homs governorate, and four each in the Damascus and Daraa governorates. Their number is steadily growing," he said.

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