(VOVworld) – Gun fell silent across Syria after a ceasefire deal, sponsored by the US and Russia, took force at midnight local time on February 27.

The ceasefire call comes as government forces make gains around Aleppo in the north. (Photo: AFP)

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was quiet in the north of Latakia province and in the central provinces of Homs and Hama. However, there were intermittent clashes between Islamic State and Al-Nusra Front jihadists as well as fighting between jihadists and Kurdish forces.

Earlier the US and Russia agreed on a draft plan outlining a cessation of hostilities in Syria, marking the greatest diplomatic effort to end violence in Syria. The Syrian government and the oppositions issued a statement to agree the ceasefire. But the deal is not applied to the IS and Al-Nusra Front which has links to Al-Qeada. UN envoy Staffan de Mistura said Syria peace talks between the Syrian government and the opposition would resume on March 7 if the ceasefire held.

US Ambassador Samantha Power to the UN said that maintaining the ceasefire is a big challenge but added it offered the best chance to reduce violence.