Militants Attack Syria's Fua, Kefraya Despite Nationwide Ceasefire - Reports

The militant groups in Syria's northern Idlib province shelled over 20 times towns of Fua and Kefraya, Iran's Fars news agency reported Sunday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to the news agency, militants targeted residential districts in both cities, ignoring the nationwide truce.

A nationwide ceasefire between Syrian government troops and several opposition factions came into force at midnight local time on Friday. Russia and Turkey serve as guarantors of the deal which paves the way for negotiations between the warring parties.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday that the Syrian government and armed opposition groups had reached an agreement on a nationwide ceasefire in Syria and on readiness to start peace talks.

Putin called on the Syrian government, armed opposition and all countries with influence on the situation in the Arab republic to support the reached agreements and to take part in the anticipated talks in Astana.

Fua and Kefraya are the only government-controlled enclave in Idlib's vast militant-held area. The towns of some 20,000 people have been under siege since 2013. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with a lack of food and basic necessities.