Updated

The Latest on Syria developments (all times local):

9:50 a.m.

Syrian opposition activists and government media outlets are reporting relative calm in wide parts of Syria after a deal hammered out by Russia, Turkey and Iran to set up "de-escalation zones" in mostly opposition-held area went into effect.

Opposition activists in southern, central and northern Syria tell The Associated Press that there have been sporadic violations but the situation is by far much better than previous days with no airstrikes reported.

The plan, details of which will still be worked out over the next several weeks, went into effect at midnight Friday.

The government-controlled Syrian Central Military Media reported on Saturday morning "relative clam" is prevailing the designated zones nine hours after the deal went into effect.

The plan is the latest international attempt to reduce violence in war-ravaged Syria.

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8:40 a.m.

"De-escalation zones" set up in a deal between Russia, Turkey and Iran in mostly opposition-held parts of Syria have gone into effect.

The plan is the latest international attempt to reduce violence in the war-ravaged country, and is the first to envisage armed foreign monitors on the ground in Syria. The U.S. is not party to the agreement and the Syrian rivals have not signed on to the deal. The armed opposition, instead, is highly critical of the proposal, saying it lacks legitimacy.

The plan's details will be worked out over the next several weeks. It went into effect at midnight Friday.