Heavy 'Russian' air strikes ahead of Syria truce

Warplanes have unleashed air strikes on the suburbs of the Syrian capital Damascus and near the rebel-held city of Aleppo, hours before a ceasefire brokered by the US and Russia was due to go into effect.

The barrage came as the main Syrian opposition and rebel umbrella group said dozens of factions - 97 groups in all - have agreed to abide by the ceasefire, which is due to begin at midnight local time across the war-ravaged country. The High Negotiations Committee, or HNC, said a military committee has been formed to follow up on the ceasefire.