Syrian Ceasefire Is Collapsing

L.A. Times: Syria's cease-fire appears to be collapsing

It’s said that spring heralds a time of renewal, but it could mark the end for Syria’s fragile cease-fire.

The last few days have brought fresh skirmishes that threaten to derail the tenuous, U.N.-brokered “cessation of hostilities” between forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad and opposition factions. The limited cease-fire went into effect on Feb. 27 and had mostly been holding, despite some violations.

The recent clashes have also raised doubts as to whether a second round of peace talks, scheduled to begin at the end of next week, will now occur.

On Friday, jihadists with the Nusra Front, Al Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate, spearheaded a punishing attack on Al Eis, a village nestled among a string of hills 16 miles southwest of Aleppo city on a supply route linking Hama and Aleppo provinces.

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Update #1: Syria's partial ceasefire blown apart after fights between government forces erupted outside city of Aleppo (AP)
Update #2: Syria ceasefire under threat as rebel groups claw back territory (Financial Times)

WNU editor: I am surprised that this casefire has lasted this long.