Syrian men carrying babies make their way through the rubble of destroyed buildings following a reported air strike on the rebel-held Salihin neighbourhood of the northern city of Aleppo, on September 11, 2016. (AFP/Xinhua)
DAMASCUS, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Syrian army announced a seven-day nationwide ceasefire as of Monday, state news agency SANA reported.
The regime of silence started as of 7:00 pm local time Monday and will last till Sept. 19, the army said in a statement.
Still, the army said it reserves the right to respond to any breach by the rebels.
The military ceasefire declaration comes as part of the recent deal between superpowers.
The United States and Russia early Saturday announced a landmark agreement on a nationwide ceasefire in Syria, which would commence with the start of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.
The week-long truce also includes improving humanitarian aid access and a joint military operation against banned terrorist groups.
All attacks and airstrikes will be stopped and unobstructed access will be allowed to besieged areas, including the northern city of Aleppo, according to the truce.
The Syrian government said it welcomes the deal.
Related:
New cessation of hostilities in Syria to take effect next week
GENEVA, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reached on Saturday a landmark agreement which would see both countries greatly enhance cooperation in a bid to end the five-year-old Syrian conflict.
According to Kerry, who spoke first after day-long discussions with his Russian counterpart, the plan aims to rekindle a nation-wide cessation of hostilities beginning at sundown on Sept. 12, allowing life-saving humanitarian aid to reach civilians in need. Full story
