Assad violates nationwide ceasefire

The ceasefire across Syria, which was reached under the guarantors Turkey and Russia, was effective last night at midnight on December 29.

The ceasefire deal excluded groups recognized as terrorist organizations by the United Nations Security Council.

The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to meet today. In a statement released by the UN, the United Nations Security Council will meet in a closed session to discuss Syria.

The Assad regime violated the ceasefire deal across various points in Syria.

The first city where the ceasefire was violated was in Syria's southwestern city of Daraa. One hour after the ceasefire was implemented, the regime attacked Daraa.

The regime's soldiers sieged the city's Al-Yadudah region with machine guns.

The principal port of Syria, Lattakia, was also attacked by the Assad regime, violating the nationwide ceasefire.

Local sources reported that the city was under constant gunfire.

Lattakia is located 80 kilometers from Turkey's border.

Two hours after the ceasefire, Assad's forces attacked Idlib. Sources have said that Assad's army opened fire on the city.

Syrian government warplanes carried out at least 16 air strikes in Hama, in West-central Syria.

Hama is the fourth largest city in Syria.

Local sources have also reported clashed in Damascus since the ceasefire took effect.

No civilians or opposition fighters lost their lives. Local sources have reported that despite some violations, the ceasefire was largely successful.