'Regime of calm' over Syria as warring factions agree to temporary truce

A partial truce, dubbed a "regime of calm," has come into effect across most of Syria, but not in its divided second city of Aleppo.

In a statement released by the Syrian Army, it was announced that the cessation of hostilities would last for 24 hours in Damascus and the Eastern Ghouta region outside the capital and 72 hours in the northern countryside of Latakia province. The truce became operational in two areas an hour after midnight local time yesterday.

There has been no explanation as to why the break in the fighting is only temporary.

During the day, rebel rocket fire was reported to have killed 15 worshippers leaving Friday prayers at the Malla Khan mosque in Bab al-Faraj, in a government-held part of Aleppo.

In the rebel-held east, government air strikes are thought to have killed 11 and destroyed a the second medical facility in a week. More than 230 people are estimated to have been killed in the past eight days of escalating violence.

Barrel bombs were also reported to have been dropped on residential neighbourhoods. Rescue workers are struggling to cope with the casualties.

According to some analysts, the partial truce is the result of high-level discussions between the Americans and Russians, who are backing opposing sides in the conflict.

The Syrian army says the objective of the "regime of calm" is to deprive the rebels of a pretext for hitting civilian targets, as well as to shore up the existing ceasefire.