Ceasefire in effect in parts of Syria, but fighting intensifies on Lebanese border

The Syrian army command says it has ceased its military operations in several areas near the capital Damascus but warned it will retaliate against any attack by militants.

The command said in a statement carried by state TV that the cessation of operations began at noon local time Saturday. It gave no further details.

The announcement came hours after Russia's Defence Ministry said an agreement has been reached with the Syrian opposition on the boundaries for a de-escalation zone for the East Ghouta area near the Syrian capital Damascus.

The Russian statement did not give details, but said the agreement includes the zone's borders as well as routes for delivery of humanitarian aid and free movement of civilians.

Opposition activists said Ghouta was quiet after airstrikes early Saturday.

Idlibprovince is calm

The rebel-held northwestern province ofIdlibalsois calm after two main militant groups agreed to end days of fighting that killed scores.

The fighting between the ultraconservativeAhraral-Sham andal-Qaida-linkedHay'atTahriral Sham Arabic for LevantLiberation Committee broke out on Tuesday in several areas and focused on the Babal-Hawacrossing at the border with Turkey.

• U.S., Russia, reach ceasefire deal in southwest Syria

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Saturday that calm has prevailed inIdlibsince sunset Friday. It added that four days of fighting left 92 dead, including 15 civilians.

Meanwhile Syrian troops and members of Lebanon's Hezbollah group have pressed on in their offensive in border areas between the two countries,capturing territories from Syrian insurgents.

Syria, Hezbollah battle rebels on Lebanese border

The government-controlled Syrian Central Military Media said Hezbollah fighters and Syrian troops captured several strategic hills Saturday in areas between the Lebanese town of Arsal and the Syrian village of Fleeta.

Lebanon's Shiamilitia Hezbollah and the Syrian army are in the second day of an assault to drive them from their last foothold along the Syria-Lebanon border.

The operation has targeted Sunni Muslim insurgents from the former Nusra Front, a group that was aligned to al Qaeda and who have controlled the barren, mountainous zone of Juroud Arsal.

The offensive began on Friday and killed at least 23 Nusra militants on the first day, the Hezbollah unit said.

Pro-Hezbollah activists said on social media that about 15 Lebanese fighters have been killed in two days of fighting. The leading LBC TV gave the names of nine fighters whose funerals will be held in Beirut Saturday.

Hezbollah has fought in Syria's civil war since 2013 backing President Basharal-Assad's forces.

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