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Syria war: Cessation of hostilities due to start at sunset Syria war: Cessation of hostilities comes into effect
(about 2 hours later)
A cessation of hostilities is due to start in Syria at sunset on Monday, after a weekend of air strikes. A cessation of hostilities has come into effect in Syria, following a weekend of air strikes.
The 10-day truce is due to be followed by co-ordinated US-Russian air strikes against jihadist militants. If the truce holds for seven days, the US and Russia will carry out co-ordinated air strikes against jihadist militants.
Syrian state media reported that President Bashar al-Assad had welcomed the deal, which was reached late on Friday in Geneva after months of talks between Russia and the US. Syrian state media said President Bashar al-Assad had welcomed the deal, struck on Friday in Geneva after months of talks between Russia and the US.
But it is unclear whether rebel factions will abide by it.But it is unclear whether rebel factions will abide by it.
The Free Syrian Army group has written to the United States administration saying that while it would "co-operate positively" with the ceasefire, it was concerned it would benefit the government. The cessation of violence officially came into effect at sunset on Monday.
Another major rebel group, the hardline Islamist Ahrar al-Sham, has rejected the deal, which is scheduled to come into effect around 15:45 GMT. Earlier, the Free Syrian Army group wrote to the US administration saying that while it would "co-operate positively" with the ceasefire, it was concerned it would benefit the government.
"A rebellious people who have fought and suffered for six years cannot accept half-solutions," said its second-in-command, Ali al-Omar, in a video statement. But the group's commander stopped short of explicitly saying it would not abide by its terms. Another major rebel group, the hardline Islamist Ahrar al-Sham, initially rejected the deal but later appeared to have softened its stance.
And President Assad, speaking hours before the ceasefire was due to start, said the Syrian state was still "determined to recover every area from the terrorists, and to rebuild". Opposition sources quoted by Reuters said that a forthcoming statement supporting the cessation "with harsh reservations" would be backed by "the largest groups", including Ahrar al-Sham.
President Assad, speaking before the ceasefire was due to start, said the Syrian state was still "determined to recover every area from the terrorists, and to rebuild".
Analysis: BBC Middle East editor Jeremy BowenAnalysis: BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen
Even before the ceasefire comes into effect there are signs of problems with the plan. Even before the ceasefire came into effect there were signs of problems with the plan.
Armed opposition groups have formed alliances to fight the Syrian army. They range from groups supported by the Americans and their allies to ones that have had links with al-Qaeda.Armed opposition groups have formed alliances to fight the Syrian army. They range from groups supported by the Americans and their allies to ones that have had links with al-Qaeda.
The ceasefire calls on US backed groups to separate from the others. They're reluctant to do so - one saying they're in the same trench, with joint operations rooms.The ceasefire calls on US backed groups to separate from the others. They're reluctant to do so - one saying they're in the same trench, with joint operations rooms.
That is just one part of a complicated agreement that might crack open when it comes up against the realities of the Syrian war.That is just one part of a complicated agreement that might crack open when it comes up against the realities of the Syrian war.
Countdown to ceasefire
Ahead of the ceasefire, the Syrian government carried out heavy air strikes in several rebel areas over the weekend, killing about 100 people.Ahead of the ceasefire, the Syrian government carried out heavy air strikes in several rebel areas over the weekend, killing about 100 people.
Russian warplanes have also been in action in the provinces of Idlib and Aleppo, say Syrian activists.Russian warplanes have also been in action in the provinces of Idlib and Aleppo, say Syrian activists.
Syrian children celebrate Eid in a warzone
Such intensification of violence has occurred before other, aborted, ceasefires in Syria.Such intensification of violence has occurred before other, aborted, ceasefires in Syria.
"We hope there will be a ceasefire so that civilians can get a break. The shelling goes on night and day, there are targeted killings, besieged cities," said Abu Abdullah, who lives in Aleppo's rebel-held east."We hope there will be a ceasefire so that civilians can get a break. The shelling goes on night and day, there are targeted killings, besieged cities," said Abu Abdullah, who lives in Aleppo's rebel-held east.
"Civilians have no hope anymore." "Civilians have no hope any more."
Under the plan, Syrian government forces will halt combat missions in specified opposition-held areas.Under the plan, Syrian government forces will halt combat missions in specified opposition-held areas.
Russia and the US will then establish a joint centre to combat jihadist groups, including so-called Islamic State and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (known until recently as the Nusra Front).Russia and the US will then establish a joint centre to combat jihadist groups, including so-called Islamic State and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (known until recently as the Nusra Front).
The conflict in Syria, which began with an uprising against Mr Assad, has raged for five years and claimed the lives of more than a quarter of a million people.The conflict in Syria, which began with an uprising against Mr Assad, has raged for five years and claimed the lives of more than a quarter of a million people.
More than 4.8m have fled abroad, and an estimated 6.5m others have been displaced within the country, the UN says. More than 4.8 million have fled abroad, and an estimated 6.5 million others have been displaced within the country, the UN says.
If the truce holds...If the truce holds...
Jihadist groups like so-called Islamic State and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham face the joint might of the Russian and US air forcesJihadist groups like so-called Islamic State and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham face the joint might of the Russian and US air forces
Moderate rebels and civilians in the areas they hold will no longer face the threat of indiscriminate air strikes such as barrel-bombing although the Syrian air force will not be grounded completely; aid deliveries will be allowed to areas currently under siegeModerate rebels and civilians in the areas they hold will no longer face the threat of indiscriminate air strikes such as barrel-bombing although the Syrian air force will not be grounded completely; aid deliveries will be allowed to areas currently under siege
President Assad will be in a stronger position as the US and Russia engage two of his most effective military opponents while moderate rebels observe the truce with his forcesPresident Assad will be in a stronger position as the US and Russia engage two of his most effective military opponents while moderate rebels observe the truce with his forces
Syria's history of failed dealsSyria's history of failed deals
February 2012: Syrian government "categorically rejects" an Arab League plan calling for a joint Arab-UN peacekeeping missionFebruary 2012: Syrian government "categorically rejects" an Arab League plan calling for a joint Arab-UN peacekeeping mission
June 2012/January 2014/January 2016: Three failed UN-sponsored peace conferences in GenevaJune 2012/January 2014/January 2016: Three failed UN-sponsored peace conferences in Geneva
September 2013: Kerry and Lavrov negotiate a deal to strip the Syrian government of its chemical weapons in return for the US backing away from air strikes. Since then, the government has again and repeatedly been accused of using toxic chemicals against rebel-held areasSeptember 2013: Kerry and Lavrov negotiate a deal to strip the Syrian government of its chemical weapons in return for the US backing away from air strikes. Since then, the government has again and repeatedly been accused of using toxic chemicals against rebel-held areas
February 2016: World powers agree in Munich on a nationwide "cessation of hostilities" in Syria excluding jihadist groups. There is no agreement on any joint US-Russian operations. The "pause" quickly unravels as Assad promises to regain control of the whole countryFebruary 2016: World powers agree in Munich on a nationwide "cessation of hostilities" in Syria excluding jihadist groups. There is no agreement on any joint US-Russian operations. The "pause" quickly unravels as Assad promises to regain control of the whole country
March 2016: President Vladimir Putin declares "mission accomplished" in Syria and orders removal of "main part" of Russia's air army in Syria. Russian air strikes have continued ever sinceMarch 2016: President Vladimir Putin declares "mission accomplished" in Syria and orders removal of "main part" of Russia's air army in Syria. Russian air strikes have continued ever since