Definition
A ceasefire is a formal agreement by parties to a conflict to stop or reduce military operations for a defined period or under defined conditions. Ceasefires can be unilateral or bilateral, time-bound or open-ended, area-limited or full, and enforced or voluntary.
Why this matters when reading conflict news
"Ceasefire" is one of the most over-claimed wartime concepts. Each side has reasons to declare one before the other agrees. Read the actual text.
Common misunderstandings
- A ceasefire is not a peace deal.
- A unilaterally announced ceasefire is not a ceasefire until the other side accepts it.
- Most ceasefires include exclusions (self-defence, defined zones) that allow continued operations.