Syrian forces appear to have halted attacks on civilians in line with an internationally backed deadline on Thursday.
A resident of the central city of Homs told NHK over the phone that attacks stopped on Thursday morning, but tanks and snipers are still being deployed, so people are staying indoors.
Homs had been under a series of intense attacks by government forces.
A resident in Daraa, southern Syria, said shelling had stopped and the city was quiet from the morning on.
The government of President Bashar al-Assad said in a letter to the UN and Arab League envoy, Kofi Annan, that troops will halt military operations across the country by Thursday. In the letter, the government also argues that it has the right to counter attacks by anti-government groups.
Assad's government is apparently keeping the troops in the cities and is ready to resume its offensive anytime.
Syrian watchers say it is unclear whether the ceasefire will last.
Thursday, April 12, 2012 19:24 +0900 (JST)
1.Syrian forces appear to have halted attacks on civilians in line with an internationally backed deadline on Thursday.
すぐに入ってこない、厄介な文です。.appear to haveが邪魔をしているので、ここを抜いて文意をみてみましょう。appear to haveはより正確に細かいニュアンスまで伝えるために含まれているので、意味がいまいち自分の中でストンと落ちていないなと思った方は、スキップしてみてください。ちなみに、ここは“～のようです”とします。
２．the UN and Arab League envoy国連などの特使として仲介にあたっている
３． ceasefire 停戦