No let-up in fighting outside Syria capital despite ceasefire, say activists

Besieged opposition pockets around the Syrian capital of Damascus have seen no reprieve in fighting despite a nationwide ceasefire agreement which went into effect more than 36 hours ago, activists said.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said today that at least two civilians and five militants have been killed in battles over the opposition-held Eastern Ghouta and Barada Valley regions.