Syrian army promises to observe 4-day ceasefire

The Syrian army promised to observe a four-day ceasefire for a Muslim holiday starting today, while rebels claimed to have taken control of new areas in the key battleground of Aleppo.

In the announcement read on state TV, the army granted itself significant loopholes, saying it will respond to rebel attacks or efforts to bolster their positions as well as the entry of fighters into Syria from neighbouring countries.

The call for a four-day ceasefire for the Eid al-Adha holiday is currently the international community’s only idea on how to try to stop 19 months of violence in Syria.