This morning’s broadcast headlines are all led by the news from overnight that world powers have agreed to a “cessation of hostilities” in Syria to begin in a week’s time.The proposed ceasefire would not apply to the jihadist groups Daesh and al-Nusra Front, while Russia has also indicated it will continue its campaign of airstrikes in support of the Assad regime.
Syria
Following talks in Munich, it was announced overnight by US Secretary of State, John Kerry, that an agreement has been reached by Ministers from the International Syria Support Group to a “cessation of hostilities” in a week’s time, along with an acceleration of humanitarian aid deliveries. Broadcasters including BBC News and Sky News report that the ceasefire will not apply to the battle against jihadist groups Daesh and al-Nusra Front, while a US/Russia-led taskforce will attempt to implement the truce on the ground.
Mr Kerry said: "What we have here are words on paper. What we need to see in the next few days are actions on the ground, in the field." Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, called it a "first step" towards a ceasefire but said his country was still pressing ahead with its campaign of airstrikes.
Doubts have already been expressed about the deal, with the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet saying: “There are still major gaps. One of the biggest is that Russia's bombing of Aleppo and what it calls terrorist targets is not included in the possible truce even though its actions are seen by many as strengthening Syrian government forces…It will be a week which tests the commitment of all outside players, as well as Syrians on all sides.”
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said:
The International Syria Support Group (ISSG) meeting in Munich committed members to achieving a cessation of hostilities within a week, to delivering humanitarian assistance to named besieged communities by this weekend and to facilitating rapid progress in negotiations aimed at political transition.
If implemented fully and properly by every ISSG member, this will be an important step towards relieving the killing and suffering in Syria. But it will only succeed if there is a major change of behaviour by the Syrian regime and its supporters.
Russia, in particular, claims to be attacking terrorist groups and yet consistently bombs non-extremist groups including civilians. If this agreement is to work, this bombing will have to stop: no cessation of hostilities will last if moderate opposition groups continue to be targeted.
Army legal claims
It is reported in the Times, Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail that military commanders are being sold insurance to protect them against potential legal claims emerging from Iraq and Afghanistan. Lord Boyce, former chief of the defence staff, told the House of Lords yesterday he is concerned about the increasing 'legal encirclement' of the Armed Forces. It is also reported that the MOD is facing hundreds of claims of alleged abuse from the Iraq and Afghan campaigns. Court rulings that the Government has a legal duty to protect its soldiers' human rights, even on the battlefield, have raised concerns that commanders will be sued if they are found to have taken risks, according to the newspapers.
Meanwhile the Sun reports that ‘military lawyers’ from the Service Prosecuting Authority have spent £100,000 on a ‘celeb PR firm to help their image’. The body has been ‘slammed’, according to the newspaper, for its role in the investigation of soldiers who are facing allegations stemming from operations in Iraq. SAS veteran Andy McNab is quoted as saying: “It must do its job far better. Then you get the correct reputation.”
The MOD’s position is as follows:
The Government is determined to reduce significantly the number of spurious claims brought against our Armed Forces. Every false, distorted or exaggerated claim diverts defence spending from the front line and could serve to constrain the Armed Forces in their operational effectiveness. We welcome the IHAT’s recent decisions to discontinue 58 of the most serious cases facing our troops, supporting our belief that the vast majority of UK service personnel deployed on military operations conduct themselves professionally and in accordance with the law.
Daesh
The Daily Express says that Britain has vowed to step up the fight against Daesh, after trebling airstrikes on terrorists in Syria and Iraq last month. The article says the pledge comes as the militants reportedly ‘hit new depths’ by releasing a video in which a four-year-old British boy apparently executed three prisoners by blowing up their car. Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond is quoted saying: “There's no negotiating with this organisation. They have to be eliminated and that's what we'll do.”
Armed Forces Manning
The Daily Mirror reports that Britain's Armed Forces are short of nearly 6,000 regular troops, according to the latest Government figures. The piece says that defence cuts have reportedly led to the number of soldiers, sailors and airmen falling to 141,260 - against the required 147,130.
In fact, the published figures is not a ‘target’ the MOD is seeking to man against - we have enough people to perform all tasks to keep Britain safe.
Adam Gemili ran side-by-side with an aircraft from the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team on Wednesday (10 February), as the jet took off from a runway.
Image created by SAC Gina Edgcumbe
Follow us on Twitter and don’t forget to sign up for email alerts.