The number of settlements that have joined the cessation of hostilities in war-torn Syria has increased to 1,291, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday.

“Within the last 24 hours, truce agreements have been reached with representatives of eight settlements in Daraa [1], Hama [3], Homs [3], and Quneitra [1] provinces, bringing the total number of settlements that have joined the ceasefire to 1,291,” the ministry said in a daily bulletin posted on its website.

According to the document, negotiations on joining ceasefire regime have continued with field commanders of armed opposition units operating in Damascus, Homs, Hama, Quneitra, and Aleppo provinces.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced in December that the Syrian government and armed opposition groups had reached an agreement on a nationwide ceasefire in Syria and on readiness to start peace talks.

Source: Sputnik