Syria war rages hours before deal to halt fighting

Russian and Syrian Army forces launched a series of air raids and artillery attacks in the hours immediately before the ceasefire agreement took effect. Reuters reports that at least 26 air strikes and artillery attacks hit a rebel stronghold near Damascus, killing at least 5 people. Both the Syrian government and the rebel groups have provisionally agreed to the ceasefire, but both groups are afraid that the other will violate it or that terrorist groups will take advantage of the decreased hostilities to rearm themselves. It remains to be seen if either side will honor the ceasefire, and outside observers are skeptical that it will have any lasting effect.