2d LD: Cessation of hostilities plan goes into effect in Syria

The Russia-U.S.-backed cessation of hostilities plan has gone into effect at midnight Friday in all Syrian cities.

The plan excludes the Islamic State (IS) group and the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, as both designated by the United Nations as terrorist groups that should be fought.

The IS is in control of the entire province of al-Raqqa in northern Syria, large swathes of the eastern province of Deir al-Zour, and some areas in the northern countryside of the northern province of Aleppo.

The Nusra Front controls much of the northwestern province of Idlib, areas in the southwest of the capital Damascus, and the central province of Hama and the northern countryside of Latakia.

The pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV said the rebels started shelling government controlled areas in Aleppo just minutes after the cessation of hostilities went into effect.

Shelling was also heard from the Daraya suburb, southwest of Damascus, which is largely controlled by the Nusra Front.

Minutes ahead of the ceasefire, clam prevailed over hotspots in the eastern surroundings of the capital Damascus, namely in Jobar and Douma, which witnessed heavy shelling and airstrikes during the day on Friday.

Battles have also continued in the northern countryside of Latakia, where the Syrian army is eliminating the remaining pockets of the Nusra Front in that province near Turkey.

Reports said the intensity of battles usually decline during the night, making an assessment of the cessation of hostilities in accurate until morning.

If succeeded, the truce will be the first step toward a political solution to the nearly five years of conflict in Syria.

Earlier in the day, the Riyadh-backed Syrian opposition group, the Higher Negotiation Committee (HNC), announced that most of the rebel factions have agreed to respect the cessation of hostilities plan in Syria, according to the Saudi-funded al-Arabyia TV.

The Free Syrian Army, one of the West-backed rebel group, has also accepted the plan and pledged its commitment.

The report said that it wasn't yet clear whether any rebel group rejected the plan.

Meanwhile, the HNC said it had warned the Syrian government from exploiting the truce under the pretext of fighting terrorism.

On Tuesday, the Syrian government accepted the plan, but also warned the rebels not to take advantage from the fighting pause to enhance their positions. Endit