The US and Russia have announced a plan for peace in Syria that will start with a cessation of hostilities on 12 September.

“Today the United States and Russia are announcing a plan which we hope will reduce violence, ease suffering and resume movement towards negotiated peace and a political transition in Syria,” said US Secretary of State John Kerry after talks with Russia’ Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva on 9 September. “We think this plan as it is set forth, if implemented, and if followed, has the ability to provide a turning point, a moment of change.”

The plan agreed by the US and Russia has four key components:

1. Regime will not fly combat missions in opposition areas
2. Providing violence is reduced for seven days. the US and Russia will conduct air strikes against Al-Nusra
3. All sides commit to the cessation of violence starting at sunset on 12 September
4. Seven days after violence has been reduced a Joint Implementation Centre (JIC) will be established to take on Al-Nusra and Islamic State.

Speaking at a briefing in Geneva, Kerry said that Russia’s role in the crucial as it has the ability to influence the regime. “[The US] is going the extra mile here because we believe Russia and colleague have the capability to press the Assad regime to stop this conflict and come to the table to make peace.”

The peace plan is now dependent on warring factions within Syria laying committing to peace. “…In Syria plans do not implement themselves. So today we are announcing an arrangement which we think has the capability of sticking but it is dependent of people’s choices and it has the ability to stick, providing the region and opposition both meet their obligations and other supporting countries will do,” said Kerry.

Violence in Syria began in 2011 and it is estimated that over 400,000 people have died in the conflict.