Syrian army announces 72-hour nationwide ceasefire

The Syrian military has unilaterally declared a 72-hour truce covering the whole country. The announcement was coinciding with the Eid festival marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. However the statement did not specify whether the ceasefire extended to military action against jihadists such as the Islamic State group or the l-Qaeda-affiliated Al-Nusra Front. A number of

rebel groups have said they will respect the truce. A ceasefire between regime forces and non-jihadist rebel groups was announced by Russia and the United States in late February but had mostly collapsed amid repeated violations.