• 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.

• Agreement document

  SY_151207_Homs Ceasefire_EN.pdf | Download PDF

• Agreement document (original language)

  SY_151207_Homs Ceasefire_AR.pdf | Download PDF

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

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.