Fighting in Syria ceases despite claims of violations

Fighting in Syria appeared to have mostly stopped yesterday, the second day of a US-Russian deal on a cessation of hostilities which seemed to be holding despite accusations of violations and air strikes in Aleppo.

The agreement is the first of its kind to be attempted in four years and, if it holds, would be the most successful truce of the war.

Under the accord accepted by Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s government and many of his foes, fighting should cease so aid can reach civilians and talks can open to end a war that has killed more than 250,000 people and made 11m homeless.