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Southern Syria Cease-Fire Takes Effect 


The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on July 9 that the cease-fire appeared to be holding with the exception of some scattered shelling in the Deraa area. (file photo)
The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on July 9 that the cease-fire appeared to be holding with the exception of some scattered shelling in the Deraa area. (file photo)

A cease-fire in southern Syria that was announced on July 8 by U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, has come into effect.

The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on July 9 that the cease-fire appeared to be holding with the exception of some scattered shelling in the Deraa area.

The Syrian government has not commented on the cease-fire, but an unnamed government source told the Reuters news agency that Damascus's silence was "a sign of satisfaction" with the development.

In a post on Twitter on July 9, Trump lauded the cease-fire and said it "will save lives."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the cease-fire but said it "must not enable the establishment of a military presence by Iran and its proxies in Syria in general and in southern Syria in particular."

Several cease-fires have been announced during the 6-year-old conflict in Syria, but none has lasted long.

Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and dpa

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