Syria announced that it will cease its military operations against armed groups starting Thursday morning, the date which was set as deadline after international envoy Kofi Annan’s visit.

Syria announced that it will cease its military operations against armed groups starting Thursday morning, the date which was set as a deadline after international envoy Kofi Annan’s visit.

Syrian news agency SANA quoted Wednesday an official in the Syrian Defense ministry as saying that “after our armed forces successfully completed their mission in combating the criminal acts of armed terrorist groups and enforcing the state’s rule over its lands, it has been decided to stop the operations starting Thursday morning.”

“Our brave armed forces will stay on alert to respond to any attack by the armed terrorist groups against civilians, regime forces, armed forces, and on private and public property, and to protect the security of the nation and civilians,” he added.