The U.S. and Russia have agreed to a cease-fire in southwest Syria. The development was announced by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday, shortly after President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin wrapped up their face-to-face meeting at the G-20 summit in Germany. The cease-fire, which Jordan and Israel have also agreed to, is slated to take effect Sunday at noon Damascus time.
"This is our first indication of the U.S. and Russia being able to work together in Syria," Tillerson said. Though both countries are fighting against the Islamic State in Syria's war, they have opposing allegiances, with Russia backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the U.S. supporting rebel groups pushing for Assad's ouster.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.