BREAKING NEWS

Syrian army declares truce around Damascus, parts of Idlib province

The Syrian army declared a ceasefire in several areas around Damascus and the northwestern province of Idlib beginning on Friday evening, but did not say how long the pause in fighting would last.

There was no immediate comment from rebels on the truce.

The areas affected included the government-besieged town of Madaya near Damascus and Kefraya and al-Foua in Idlib, which are surrounded by insurgents. (