Russia's Defense Ministry has announced that a 48-hour cease-fire will start on June 16 in the embattled Syrian city of Aleppo.
A U.S. State Department spokeswoman confirmed to dpa that Syrian parties have agreed to "recommit to the cessation of hostilities" in Aleppo starting at midnight Damascus time on June 16.
Moscow's announcement came after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry warned Russia and the Syrian regime on June 15 that U.S. patience was wearing thin and they must respect a cease-fire instituted in February.
Russia accused Al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate, the Al-Nusra Front, of attacking various Aleppo neighborhoods with multiple rocket launchers, as well as mounting a tank attack southwest of the city.
Russia has provided air support to troops loyal to the Syrian regime as they battled the militant group and other Syrian rebels located in Aleppo.
Since June 14, some 70 fighters have been killed, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
