Turkey welcomes Syria ceasefire, says all attacks will stop

Turkey welcomes the Syrian ceasefire set to come into effect at midnight.

The Foreign Ministry says groups regarded as terror organizations by the UN Security Council will be excluded from the ceasefire, an apparent reference to the Islamic State group and the al-Qaeda-linked Fateh al-Sham Front.

It says the government and the opposition have agreed to halt attacks, including aerial attacks, and not to expand territories under their control in a way that would be detrimental to each other.

Turkey and Russia will closely follow the situation on the ground to ensure the ceasefire holds. The statement calls on all sides wielding influence on the warring parties to provide the necessary support to halt hostilities.

— AP