US-Russian brokered ceasefire for southwestern Syria takes effect

BEIRUT

A ceasefire deal for southwestern Syria took effect at 11:00 a.m. on July 9, the latest international attempt at peacemaking in the country's six-year war. 

The United States, Russia and Jordan reached a ceasefire and "de-escalation agreement" on Friday meant to halt fighting between Syrian government forces and rebel groups in the southwest.

There have been no air strikes or clashes in southwestern Syria since a U.S.-Russian brokered ceasefire deal took effect, a war monitoring group and a rebel official said. 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, said "calm was prevailing" in the area since the truce began. A rebel official in Deraa city also said there had been no significant fighting. 

There was no immediate comment from the Syrian army. 

The United States, Russia and Jordan reached this week a ceasefire and "de-escalation agreement" meant to halt fighting between Syrian government forces and rebel groups in the southwest.