US-Russian ceasefire goes into effect in southern Syria

Damascus July 9 (IANS) The ceasefire agreement reached between the US and Russia went into effect on Sunday in southern Syria local media reported.

The ceasefire covers the provinces of Sweida Daraa and Qunaitera according to Xinhua news agency.

On Friday US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the US and Russia reached a ceasefire agreement to quell fighting in southwest Syria.

He said the agreement if it holds may be a blueprint for other parts of the country. "This area in the south is our first show of success. We hope we can replicate that elsewhere " he said.

The ceasefire is part of the de-escalation zones deal which went into force last May in four Syrian areas including the southern part of Syria where battles flared up again prompting the US and Russia to agree to a ceasefire.

--IANS
ahm/dg