[1] Following talks in Munich, the world powers in the International Syria Support Group negotiated a ceasefire between the main parties to the war.
"[3] On 26 February 2016, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2268 that demanded all parties to comply with the terms[4] of a U.S.-Russian deal on a "cessation of hostilities".
[9] In early February 2016, the formal start of the UN-mediated Geneva Syria peace talks[10] and the opposition's protestations[11] notwithstanding, the Syrian government carried on with its offensive operations in the Aleppo Governorate[12] amidst speculations that Turkey, as well as Saudi Arabia[13] and the United Arab Emirates,[14] were preparing a military incursion into Syria.
[18][19] Syria′s deputy prime minister Walid Muallem said that any foreign country′s ground intervention in the Syrian territory without the government's approval would be deemed an act of aggression to be confronted: "Any aggressor will be sent back to their country in wooden boxes, whether they be Saudis or Turks.
[22] In retaliation, on 13 February Turkey began a sustained campaign of shelling on SDF positions in the area of Azaz from its territory.
Putin also said that Russia's Khmeimim airbase will be kept to control the ceasefire agreements and that its port at Tartus would continue to operate as normal.
[2] The ceasefire went into effect on 12 September, but was poorly adhered to, with the Syrian government continuing bombing and UN humanitarian aid delayed by security concerns and the danger to convoys.
[42] Less than 2 hours after the ceasefire was due to be implemented, clashes erupted between the Army of Victory and government forces in the northern Hama Governorate.
[43] On 2 January 2017, rebel groups said that they freeze talks about participation in peace conference due to ceasefire violations, referring to Wadi Barada offensive.
The agreement was rejected by some rebel groups,[47] and the Democratic Union Party also denounced the deal, saying that the ceasefire zones are "dividing Syria up on a sectarian basis".