A ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey started in war torn Syria at midnight on Friday 30 December.

The Syrian military says the ceasefire is a comprehensive end to hostilities in all Syrian territories, but does not apply to Jabhat al-Nusra and Isis and any groups affiliated to them.

Syrian news agency Sana reports that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad received a telephone phone call from Russian President Vladimir Putin on ceasefire on 29 December. The two presidents also reportedly discussed an upcoming meeting on Syria due to be held soon in the Kazakhstan capital Astana.

A ceasefire had been edging closer after Syria’s government forces re-established control of the last rebel-held areas in the city of Aleppo in mid-December.

The latest ceasefire has not included involvement from the US, which had been involved in earlier attempts at establishing peace.

Violence in Syria began in 2011. It is estimated that more than 400,000 people have died in the conflict.