Homs Ceasefire

  • Country/entity
    Syria
  • Region
    Middle East and North Africa
  • Agreement name
    Homs Ceasefire
  • Date
    4 Dec 2015
  • Agreement status
    Multiparty signed/agreed
  • Interim arrangement
    Yes
  • Agreement/conflict level
    Intrastate/local conflict ( Syrian Conflicts (1948 - ) (1976 - 2005) (2011 - ) )
  • Stage
    Ceasefire/related
  • Conflict nature
    Government
  • Peace process
    Intra-Syrian Process (state/non-state)
  • Parties
    Government
    Deeb Zaytūn, head of the Syrian Intelligence
    Talāl al-Barāzī, Governor of Homs

    Rebel Groups
    Faylaq al-Shām: Āhrār al-Shām and Katā’ib al-Jihād al-Islāmī
    [participants not noted in agreement]
  • Third parties
    International Observers
    Yaqoub al-Helo, the representative of the United Nations Development Program in Syria
    Khoula Matar, head of UN and Arab League Envoy to Syria Staffan De Mistura's political office.
  • Description
    A short truce for the city of Homs allowing for the withdrawal of non-state militants, disarmament, relocation of civilians and past provisions for victims.

Local agreement properties

  • Process type
    Formal structured process
  • Rationale
    -> Link to national level; external support mechanism; culture of signing There was allegedly a formally-establish mechanism to support the negotiation as representatives of the United Nations and the Arab League acted as international observers of the peace process. Moreover, the struggle between the two parties lies at the centre of the Syrian conflict and has been a recurring point of contention ever since 2011. Finally, reports point to previous attempts to reach a reconciliation between the Syrian government and rebel groups in al-Waer neighbourhood. Although those attempts were not successful, they account for a culture of signing agreements as a medium to solve recurring issues in this locale and to reach peace.
  • Is there a documented link to a national peace process?
    Yes
  • Link to national process: articulated rationale
    The agreement seems to be linked to the national peace process. The agreement involves national and local governance actors, as well as international observers.
  • Name of Locale
    al-Wa’ir
  • Nature Of Locale
    Smaller
  • GPS Lat/Long (DD)
    34.740963, 36.670947
  • Participant type
    Central state actor
    Local armed group
    International or transnational actor
  • Mediator, facilitator or similar
    Mediator or similar referred to
    Mediator (references)
    Two international observers
    Type of mediator/facilitator/similar
    International or transnational actor

Local issues

  • Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture)

    No specific mention.

  • Grievance List
    The agreement addresses local grievances that arose from the clashes between opposition groups and the Syrian government forces in the city of Homs. Those grievances are thought to be addressed by a number of provisions, including a full ceasefire, demilitarisation, opening of humanitarian access, and the return of civilians.
  • Cattle rustling/banditry

    No specific mention.

  • Social cover

    No specific mention.

Homs Ceasefire

December 4, 2015

First Phase:

1. A full ceasefire for a period of ten days from the date of signing the agreement.

2. Expulsion [from the talks] of those who contravene or breach this agreement

3. Presentation of a list of medium and heavy weapons, which are to be surrendered during the second phase.

4. Humanitarian organisations will be permitted to do their work

5. The ‘Diwār Muhandisīn’ Road connecting the al-Wa’ir neighbourhood and the city will be opened for pedestrians only. [

Government] Security forces will establish a checkpoint.

Those wishing to relocate outside the neighbourhood will be allowed to return to settle their affaires in the office located beside the checkpoint.

Those needing to settle [further] issues are to be taken to the [city] centre.

6. The Neighbourhood Committee shall prepare lists of those missing, kidnapped, or of unknown fate, and will thereby work to determine their fates.

In addition, a list of names shall be prepared to include those arrested and facing prison sentences by the regime, [who will later] be released upon surrendering medium and heavy weaponry in the second phase.

At the end of the first phase, the actions taken will be evaluated to avoid negative repercussions.

The undertaking of phase one is also limited to 25 days, and on the condition that no article will be implemented unless article one is upheld.

Second Phase:

1. All medium and heavy weaponry is to be gathered by the Joint Commission consisting of the Neighbourhood and Regime Committees.

The weapons will remain in storage facilities within the neighbourhood (in the al-Barr Hospital).

These arms will be barred from use and under the supervision of the Joint Commission.

2. The roads leading to general services (the Post Office, and the Directorate of Environmental Affairs) and the government roundabouts ([the roundabouts including] the station, the Judicial Palace and the blood bank, etc.)

will be opened.

The protection of roads will be undertaken by a limited number of men from the intelligence services and the police for the specified duration exclusively.

The police and intelligence services will be responsible for the operation of these services, whereon this will be discussed with the Central Negotiation Commission.

3. A plan will be presented that includes mine disposal within the neighbourhood, except the area of al-Jazīrah al-Siba’ah.

4. Civilians who left or were displaced shall return to the neighbourhood.

5. Release of those who have been arrested, except for convicts or those referred to court, and of those kidnapped on both sides.

6. Medium and heavy weapons located in the al-Barr Hospital will be handed over to the regime.

7. The implementation of this phase will take between 15 and 25 days.

Third Phase:

At the end of these terms, the situation of the areas of Jazīrah al-Siba’ah and al-Basatīn will be assessed in a meeting between the two sides.

[End of the Agreement]

Participants [From third party media, not stated in online document]

Government

Deeb Zaytūn, head of the Syrian Intelligence

Talāl al-Barāzī, Governor of Homs

Rebel Groups

Faylaq al-Shām:

Āhrār al-Shām and Katā’ib al-Jihād al-Islāmī

International Observers

Yaqoub al-Helo, the representative of the United Nations Development Program in Syria

Khoula Matar, head of UN and Arab League Envoy to Syria Staffan De Mistura's political office.