Syrian Army Declares Temporary Truce

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) -- Syria's military has declared a unilateral, three-day cease-fire for the entire country. The announcement comes at the start of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

State media say the cease-fire began on Wednesday and is to last until midnight Friday.

If it holds, this would be the first truce since a U.S.-Russia-brokered "cessation of hostilities" came into effect on Feb. 27. That agreement, which excluded militant groups such as the Islamic State, sharply reduced violence across the country for weeks. It eventually collapsed after a government offensive in the north. It's unclear if this truce excludes groups the government considers terrorists.

There was no immediate reaction from Syria's opposition groups battling President Bashar Assad's government.

(KA)