The deadliest attacks occurred on a congested residential and commercial street in the town of Seyda Zeinab on the outskirts of the capital, Damascus.  According to a security official and two residents, a suicide car bomber struck as families were shopping at a popular fruit and vegetable market, and then two other suicide bombers on foot detonated their payloads as rescuers gathered, according to a security official and two residents.

A fourth explosion was from a propane gas canister. At least 83 people died and more than 170 wounded in a series of blasts ripped through the suburb, he official SANA news agency said. . SANA said the bombs went off near schools during the afternoon rush hour.

The attacked had come as Secretary of State John Kerry announced a preliminary ceasefire. during a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

"What we are trying to achieve is a process with precision and commitment, and if we get that, that's the best opportunity for the people of Syria to see the violence reduced," he said."Will every single party agree automatically? Not necessarily."

Around Syria's biggest city, Aleppo, Russian planes and the Syrian army are battling together in a huge offensive designed to cut off the opposition's supply lines.

 "There is no such thing as a cease-fire," said Syria's Minister of Information Omran al-Zoubi. "The Syrian army is coming and it will enter every town in Syria."

President Obama would speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the next few days to come up with ways to lessen the violence.