Syria's seven-day ceasefire takes effect but violence erupts within hours

A planned ceasefire between the Syrian regime and opposition groups was struggling to take hold in several parts of Syria hours after it was due to take effect.

Explosions were reported on a supply line to rebel-held east Aleppo and in the southern town of Deraa, after sunset on Monday, as were attacks in Homs, Hama and Deir Azzour, when the truce brokered by Russia and the US was due to begin.

Speaking in Washington, US secretary of state John Kerry said early reports spoke of some reduction of violence as well as sporadic fighting, but that it was “far too early to draw definitive conclusions”.

“There will be undoubtedly be reports of violations here and there and that’s the nature of ceasefires,” he said. “For all the doubts that exist, and there will be many challenges in the days to come, despite that, this plan has a chance to work.”

Russia reportedly insisted it would keep its jets away from opposition areas but the question of which opposition areas are still considered valid targets is central to the wariness of opposition groups, particularly in Aleppo and Idlib province where global terrorist groups have become prevalent over the course of the five-year war.

According to the Guardian the Syrian military announced at the end of the first day of the Eid al-Adha holiday that it was ceasing operations.

Turkey had earlier voiced cautious support for the ceasefire, as had two other main protagonists, Iran and Hezbollah.