MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, when mass anti-government protests against President Bashar Assad and the ruling party escalated to an armed confrontation between government troops and allied militia on the one hand, and Syrian opposition factions on the other.
"The fight against terrorism and [local] ceasefires are the basis for peace and stability [in Syria]," Assad said in remarks aired by Syria's state television.
Apart from fighting the rebels in the ongoing conflict, government forces have had to counter extremist groups as well, including Daesh, which is outlawed in Russia and many other countries.
The UN Security Council Resolution 2254, passed in December, reaffirms the goals of previous agreements to end the bombardment of civilians in Syria, bring the entire spectrum of political groups in the crisis-torn country to the negotiating table and promote a lasting political resolution of the crisis.
The UN-brokered talks on the Syrian reconciliation began in late January and were put on hold until February 25.
