Russian Airstrikes Attacked Rebel Areas Before Ceasefire Starts

Russian warplanes were reportedly unleashing airstrikes on Syrian rebel positions just hours before the agreed ceasefire took effect midnight Damascus time. The US-Russian truce involves the 'cessation of hostilities' between the Assad-led government and nearly 100 secular and moderate rebel factions.

But combat operations will continue against the UN-designated terrorist organizations such as ISIS and al-Nustra Front.

"It's more intense than usual. It's as if they want to subdue rebels in these regions or score points before the ceasefire," remarked Syrian Observatory for Human Rights chief Abdel Rahman as quoted by Daily Mail.

After the ceasefire came into force, there was relative calm with few sporadic incidents of explosions and minor skirmishes.

"In the first half hour of the cease-fire the situation is relatively calm but tense. This is a regime that cannot be trusted," said opposition activist Ahmad al-Masalmeh according to a report by Yahoo News.

The temporary deal came about as a precondition for bringing warring parties back to the negotiation table in Geneva. Nearly 5 years since the civil war erupted, the ceasefire was the first real attempt to halt the armed conflicted that already resulted in more than 200,000 dead and millions more displaced.

The ceasefire was brokered by US and Russia both announced to the public on February 22 by President Barack Obama and President Vladimir Putin.

"[The warring parties are under obligation to] cease attacks with any weapons, including rockets, mortars, and anti-tank guided missiles... refrain from acquiring or seeking to acquire territory from other parties to the ceasefire...allow unhindered and sustained access to humanitarian assistance missions... and employ only proportional force in self-defense against those not party to the agreement," the Terms of Cessation of Hostilities stated quoted in part by Russia Today.