Safety zones set up in Syria after accord

AN agreement on safe zones in Syria came into force at midnight last night.

However, Russian news agencies, citing the defence ministry, claimed the air force will continue striking Islamic State elsewhere in the country.

The largest of the four de-escalation zones is in northern Syria and includes the Idlib province and districts of Latakia, Aleppo and Hama.

Russian Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin said the fact that the deescalation agreement was supported by the United Nations, the United States and Saudi Arabia guarantees its implementation.