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October 25, 2012
The Syrian government has announced it will cease military operations for four days beginning tomorrow, to mark the beginning of Eid al-Adha. The Feast of Sacrifice is one of the holiest events on the Muslim calendar. The reaction from Syria's rebel forces has been mixed, with some commanders saying they will honor the truce but others insisting they won't. International envoy Lakhdar Brahimi proposed the ceasefire in hopes it would lead to negotiations on the political solution to the 19-month old conflict. As the truce was announced, heavy fighting continued in several areas, especially in Syria's largest city, Aleppo.