Syrian Army Declares Cease-Fire, But Will It Hold?

Syria's military is declaring a three-day cease-fire for the entire country with the start of the Muslim al-Fitr holidays.

It will be the first blanket truce for the entire country as the holy month of Ramadan comes to a close. If it holds it would be the first truce since the United States and Russia brokered a "cessation of hostilities" in late February.

That agreement excluded terrorist groups such as the Islamic State and al Qaeda's branch in Syria, but it sharply reduced violence across Syria for weeks. 

It is unclear if jihadist groups, such as the Islamic State, are excluded from the current cease-fire or if the current cease-fire will hold. 

There are reports of violence as one armed rebel group said there was no cease-fire on the ground. 

Yasser al-Tayeb, a spokesman for the Army of Islam group, said clashes with pro-government forces have not let up.

Pro-government forces are pressing on with their ground offensive on Mayda, in the eastern Ghouta suburbs of Damascus, which they launched on Tuesday, al-Tayeb said.

The pro-government forces have also continued the bombardment of the besieged suburb of Douma, he said.

The truce will expire midnight on Friday.