Syrian rebel forces have entered Damascus amid reports that President Bashar al-Assad has fled the country by plane for an unknown destination after 13 years of civil war. Watch for more details!

Syria Civil War: Neighboring Countries Tighten Borders as Syria Collapses

Reports Claim Syrian President Assad Has Fled Damascus

The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had stepped down from office and left the country, following his directive for a peaceful transfer of power. Watch for more details!

BREAKING: Russia Confirms Syrian President Assad Resigned After Talks With Stakeholders

Syrian Rebels Seize Damascus, Marking End of Assad's Rule

Syrian Rebels Claim They Have Taken Capital City Damascus

Syrian Rebels Claim to Have Captured Damascus, Saying President Assad Has Fled

Syrian rebel factions announced on Sunday (Dec 8) on state television that they have successfully overthrown President Bashar al-Assad and have freed "unjustly detained" prisoners.&nbsp;

In their TV address, they referred to Assad as a "tyrant" and also urged for the protection of state property.&nbsp;

The development came after a wave of intense clashes and strategic advancements by the rebel forces in Damascus and surrounding areas.

A group of individuals appeared on state television and made the announcement of "the liberation of the city of Damascus and the fall of the tyrant Bashar al-Assad and the release of all the unjustly detained from the regime prisons", reading a statement from the "Damascus Conquest operations room".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-are-the-syrian-rebels-who-overthrew-bashar-al-assads-24-year-old-regime-782421">Who are the Syrian rebels who overthrew Bashar-al Assad's 24-year-old regime?</a>

The rebels called on fighters and citizens to safeguard the "property of the free Syrian state".

Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media.

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It's over for Bashar. 
 
Syrian state TV airs video announcing Bashar al-Assad’s fall. <a href="https://t.co/zJtx2kPI1X">pic.twitter.com/zJtx2kPI1X</a>
— Clash Report (@clashreport) <a href="https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1865635634888552513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Syrian state TV proclaims 'victory' of rebellion</h2>

Syrian state television on Sunday declared "victory" of Syria's rebellion and the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, which they termed "criminal."&nbsp;

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Inside Syria state tv - now under rebel control <a href="https://t.co/hUaBV4iM7q">pic.twitter.com/hUaBV4iM7q</a>
— Zeina Khodr (@ZeinakhodrAljaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZeinakhodrAljaz/status/1865684493735981368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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"Victory of the great Syrian revolution and the fall of the criminal Assad regime," read the full-screen message in large white writing on a mainly red background.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)

Syrian rebel factions announced on Sunday (Dec 8) on state television that they have successfully overthrown President Bashar al-Assad and have freed "unjustly detained" prisoners.

Syrian rebel factions announced on Sunday (Dec 8) on state television that they have successfully overthrown President Bashar al-Assad and have freed "unjustly detained" prisoners. In their TV address, they referred to Assad as a "tyrant" and also urged for the protection of state property. The development came after a wave of intense clashes and strategic advancements by the rebel forces in Damascus and surrounding areas. A group of individuals appeared on state television and made the announcement of "the liberation of the city of Damascus and the fall of the tyrant Bashar al-Assad and the release of all the unjustly detained from the regime prisons", reading a statement from the "Damascus Conquest operations room". Also read: Who are the Syrian rebels who overthrew Bashar-al Assad's 24-year-old regime? The rebels called on fighters and citizens to safeguard the "property of the free Syrian state". Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media. It's over for Bashar. Syrian state TV airs video announcing Bashar al-Assad’s fall. pic.twitter.com/zJtx2kPI1X — Clash Report (@clashreport) December 8, 2024 × Syrian state TV proclaims 'victory' of rebellion Syrian state television on Sunday declared "victory" of Syria's rebellion and the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, which they termed "criminal." Inside Syria state tv - now under rebel control pic.twitter.com/hUaBV4iM7q — Zeina Khodr (@ZeinakhodrAljaz) December 8, 2024 × "Victory of the great Syrian revolution and the fall of the criminal Assad regime," read the full-screen message in large white writing on a mainly red background. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH: Syrian rebels appear on state TV, say toppled 'tyrant' Bashar al-Assad

A lightning offensive led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) culminated with the historic toppling of President Bashar-al Assad's regime in Syria's 13-year-long conflict.&nbsp;

HTS, which had emerged from al-Qaeda-affiliated Jabhat al-Nusra, in its surprise assault captured more than 50&nbsp;towns and villages in Syria followed by some of its strategic cities and eventually stormed into the capital Damascus on Sunday (Dec 8).&nbsp;

The United Nations, United States, Turkey and other nations have designated HTS as a terrorist organisation.

<h2>All about Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)</h2>

In 2011, HTS started as Jabhat al-Nusra, which was an affiliate of Al Qaeda and was famous for its brutality and effectiveness.

In English, “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham” means "Organisation for the Liberation of the Levant".

Earlier, it was aligned with the Free Syrian Army in the uprising against President Assad.&nbsp;

However, the group's strict jihadist ideology soon led to its alienation from other rebel groups.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bashar-al-assad-syrias-tyrant-who-pushed-the-country-into-a-decade-long-civil-war-782409">Bashar Al-Assad: Syria's 'tyrant' who pushed the country into a decade-long civil war</a>

HTS is headed by Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who is a former leader of Jabhat al-Nusra.

The group follows the Salafi-jihadist ideology and its aim has always been toppling the government of Assad and establishing Islamic rule in the country. 
&nbsp; 
Islamic State (IS) group's leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was also involved in the formation of HTS.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syrias-13-year-war-a-timeline-of-key-events-since-2011-782392">Syria's 13-year civil war: Timeline of key events since 2011 - What you should know</a>

The group was renamed HTS in 2016 after the leader of the group Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani publicly broke ranks with Al Qaeda.

HTS had set up its power base in the north-western province of Idlib and worked as the region's de facto local administration.

Watch:&nbsp;Syrian Army Command Tells Officers That Assad's Rule Has Ended, Officer Says

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HTS has also been governing parts of the country through the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG), providing essential services like food aid and welfare programmes for nearly four million residents in its territories.&nbsp;

The group has also taken under its control critical resources such as the Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey, through which humanitarian aid is facilitated.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

A lightning offensive led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) culminated with the historic toppling of President Bashar-al Assad's regime in Syria's 13-year-long conflict.

A lightning offensive led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) culminated with the historic toppling of President Bashar-al Assad's regime in Syria's 13-year-long conflict. HTS, which had emerged from al-Qaeda-affiliated Jabhat al-Nusra, in its surprise assault captured more than 50 towns and villages in Syria followed by some of its strategic cities and eventually stormed into the capital Damascus on Sunday (Dec 8). The United Nations, United States, Turkey and other nations have designated HTS as a terrorist organisation. All about Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) In 2011, HTS started as Jabhat al-Nusra, which was an affiliate of Al Qaeda and was famous for its brutality and effectiveness. In English, “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham” means "Organisation for the Liberation of the Levant". Earlier, it was aligned with the Free Syrian Army in the uprising against President Assad. However, the group's strict jihadist ideology soon led to its alienation from other rebel groups. Also Read: Bashar Al-Assad: Syria's 'tyrant' who pushed the country into a decade-long civil war HTS is headed by Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who is a former leader of Jabhat al-Nusra. The group follows the Salafi-jihadist ideology and its aim has always been toppling the government of Assad and establishing Islamic rule in the country. Islamic State (IS) group's leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was also involved in the formation of HTS. Also Read: Syria's 13-year civil war: Timeline of key events since 2011 - What you should know The group was renamed HTS in 2016 after the leader of the group Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani publicly broke ranks with Al Qaeda. HTS had set up its power base in the north-western province of Idlib and worked as the region's de facto local administration. Watch: Syrian Army Command Tells Officers That Assad's Rule Has Ended, Officer Says HTS has also been governing parts of the country through the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG), providing essential services like food aid and welfare programmes for nearly four million residents in its territories. The group has also taken under its control critical resources such as the Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey, through which humanitarian aid is facilitated. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Who are the Syrian rebels who overthrew Bashar-al Assad's 24-year-old regime in two weeks?

Syrian rebel forces announced on Sunday (Dec. 8) that Damascus was “free" and claimed that President Bashar al-Assad had left the capital, marking the historic end of the Assad family's 50-year rule, hours after the fall of Homs.

“We declare the city of Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad,” wrote the Military Operations Command in a post on Telegram.

With the announcement, celebrations broke out in Aleppo and Damascus.&nbsp;

“To the displaced all over the world, a free Syria awaits you,” said the message.

Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali said he was willing to "cooperate" with any leadership that people choose, and is ready for any handover process.

"This country can be a normal country that builds good relations with its neighbours and the world... but this issue is up to any leadership chosen by the Syrian people. We are ready to cooperate with it (that leadership) and offer all possible facilities," said Jalali in a video statement shared on his Facebook account.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syrian-rebels-claim-to-capture-homs-close-in-on-damascus-as-assads-defences-collapse-782356">Syrian rebels claim to capture Homs, enter Damascus as President al-Assad leaves capital city</a>

“I am in my house and I have not left, and this is because of my belonging to this country,” Jalili said in the statement, made after rebels announced that President Assad had fled from Syria to an unknown destination.

Earlier, the rebels stormed into the capital and took control of the notorious Saydnaya Military Prison, located in the north of Damascus.

“We broke the news to the Syrian people of liberating our prisoners and unchaining them, and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Saydnaya Prison,” said the rebels in the statement.

Now, the rebels are capturing state media offices in Damascus. “The Military Operations Command is moving to seize control of the Radio and Television Building to broadcast the victory announcement over Assad,” read the statement.

The Damascus airport is in chaos amid the storming of the capital by the rebel forces.

No imminent departures were seen on the flight monitoring websites as the airport looked largely unstaffed.

<h2>Syrian rebels capture Homs</h2>

Earlier, the leader of Syria's main rebel group announced that they had taken control of Syria's third-largest city, Homs.

Watch:&nbsp;Syrian Rebels Eye Damascus After Fall of Three Key Cities

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Abu Mohammed al-Golani said the capture of Homs was a "historic victory" and appealed to his followers not to hurt those who had chosen to surrender.&nbsp;

There has been renewed fighting in the last few days in Syria’s civil war, in which more than 300,000 people have lost their lives and around six million refugees have left the country since it started in 2011.

(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: WION takes the utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, and non-state actors like the Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos&nbsp;and videos.

Syrian rebel forces announced on Sunday (Dec. 8) that Damascus was “free" and claimed that President Bashar al-Assad had left the capital, marking the historic end of the Assad family's 50-year rule, hours after the fall of Homs.

Syrian rebel forces announced on Sunday (Dec. 8) that Damascus was “free" and claimed that President Bashar al-Assad had left the capital, marking the historic end of the Assad family's 50-year rule, hours after the fall of Homs. “We declare the city of Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad,” wrote the Military Operations Command in a post on Telegram. With the announcement, celebrations broke out in Aleppo and Damascus. “To the displaced all over the world, a free Syria awaits you,” said the message. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali said he was willing to "cooperate" with any leadership that people choose, and is ready for any handover process. "This country can be a normal country that builds good relations with its neighbours and the world... but this issue is up to any leadership chosen by the Syrian people. We are ready to cooperate with it (that leadership) and offer all possible facilities," said Jalali in a video statement shared on his Facebook account. Also Read: Syrian rebels claim to capture Homs, enter Damascus as President al-Assad leaves capital city “I am in my house and I have not left, and this is because of my belonging to this country,” Jalili said in the statement, made after rebels announced that President Assad had fled from Syria to an unknown destination. Earlier, the rebels stormed into the capital and took control of the notorious Saydnaya Military Prison, located in the north of Damascus. “We broke the news to the Syrian people of liberating our prisoners and unchaining them, and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Saydnaya Prison,” said the rebels in the statement. Now, the rebels are capturing state media offices in Damascus. “The Military Operations Command is moving to seize control of the Radio and Television Building to broadcast the victory announcement over Assad,” read the statement. The Damascus airport is in chaos amid the storming of the capital by the rebel forces. No imminent departures were seen on the flight monitoring websites as the airport looked largely unstaffed. Syrian rebels capture Homs Earlier, the leader of Syria's main rebel group announced that they had taken control of Syria's third-largest city, Homs. Watch: Syrian Rebels Eye Damascus After Fall of Three Key Cities Abu Mohammed al-Golani said the capture of Homs was a "historic victory" and appealed to his followers not to hurt those who had chosen to surrender. There has been renewed fighting in the last few days in Syria’s civil war, in which more than 300,000 people have lost their lives and around six million refugees have left the country since it started in 2011. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes the utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, and non-state actors like the Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Damascus falls: Syrian rebels announce capital city 'free', PM says ready for handover

India has issued an advisory to its citizens, asking them to avoid all travel to Syria until further notice as rebels took control of yet another city in the warn-torn West Asian nation. In a late-night advisory on Friday (Dec 6), the Ministry of External Affairs urged Indians in Syria to leave the country at the earliest.

“In view of the situation prevailing in Syria, Indian nationals are advised to avoid all travel to Syria, until further notification,” the MEA said.

“Indians currently in Syria are requested to remain in touch with the Indian Embassy in Damascus at their emergency helpline number +963 993385973 (also on WhatsApp) and email ID hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in for updates.&nbsp;

“Those who can, are advised to leave by the earliest available commercial flights and others are requested to observe utmost precaution about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum,” it added.

<h2>What is happening in Syria?</h2>

Syria is in the grips of an offensive launched by rebel forces against President Bashar al-Assad's government.

According to the United Nations, nearly 370,000 people have been displaced since November 27.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syrian-govt-bombs-key-bridge-in-bid-to-secure-homs-as-rebels-seize-hama-city-781916">Syrian govt ‘bombs’ key bridge in bid to secure Homs as rebels seize Hama city</a>

The Syrian government forces lost control of Daraa city, as per a war monitor. This comes as another blow for President Bashar al-Assad after rebels took over other key cities.

Aleppo and Hama were the two main cities taken from government control in recent days, falling to an Islamist-led rebel alliance.

Daraa fell to local armed groups, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

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"Local factions have taken control of more areas in Daraa province, including Daraa city... they now control more than 90 per cent of the province, as regime forces successively pulled out," the Britain-based Observatory, which relies on a network of sources around Syria, said late Friday.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for the protection of civilians and minorities in Syria. 
 
The US also issued an advisory for its citizens, asking them to immediately leave the country "while commercial options remain available".

"The security situation continues to be volatile and unpredictable with active clashes between armed groups throughout the country. The Department urges US citizens to depart Syria now while commercial options remain available," the State Department said in a security alert posted on social media. 
 
Besides India and the US, Pakistan also issued an advisory, asking its citizens to leave. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

India has issued an advisory to its citizens, asking them to avoid all travel to Syria until further notice as rebels took control of yet another city in the warn-torn West Asian nation.

India has issued an advisory to its citizens, asking them to avoid all travel to Syria until further notice as rebels took control of yet another city in the warn-torn West Asian nation. In a late-night advisory on Friday (Dec 6), the Ministry of External Affairs urged Indians in Syria to leave the country at the earliest. “In view of the situation prevailing in Syria, Indian nationals are advised to avoid all travel to Syria, until further notification,” the MEA said. “Indians currently in Syria are requested to remain in touch with the Indian Embassy in Damascus at their emergency helpline number +963 993385973 (also on WhatsApp) and email ID hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in for updates. “Those who can, are advised to leave by the earliest available commercial flights and others are requested to observe utmost precaution about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum,” it added. What is happening in Syria? Syria is in the grips of an offensive launched by rebel forces against President Bashar al-Assad's government. According to the United Nations, nearly 370,000 people have been displaced since November 27. Also Read: Syrian govt ‘bombs’ key bridge in bid to secure Homs as rebels seize Hama city The Syrian government forces lost control of Daraa city, as per a war monitor. This comes as another blow for President Bashar al-Assad after rebels took over other key cities. Aleppo and Hama were the two main cities taken from government control in recent days, falling to an Islamist-led rebel alliance. Daraa fell to local armed groups, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. × "Local factions have taken control of more areas in Daraa province, including Daraa city... they now control more than 90 per cent of the province, as regime forces successively pulled out," the Britain-based Observatory, which relies on a network of sources around Syria, said late Friday. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for the protection of civilians and minorities in Syria. The US also issued an advisory for its citizens, asking them to immediately leave the country "while commercial options remain available". "The security situation continues to be volatile and unpredictable with active clashes between armed groups throughout the country. The Department urges US citizens to depart Syria now while commercial options remain available," the State Department said in a security alert posted on social media. Besides India and the US, Pakistan also issued an advisory, asking its citizens to leave. (With inputs from agencies)

Indians advised to leave Syria at the earliest as Bashar al-Assad loses control of another city

In what is being described as a major flare-up of violence in Syria’s last opposition stronghold, Russian jets reportedly bombed villages and towns near the northwestern Syrian city of Idlib, on Sunday (June 25), reported Reuters. Meanwhile, a Syrian war monitor told AFP, that at least 11 people, including seven civilians, were killed in the region, while dozens of others were wounded.&nbsp;

<h2>What do we know about the bombings?</h2>

The Western-backed White Helmets emergency service, on Sunday, said that warplanes flying at high altitudes dropped bombs on a vegetable market in Jisr al-Shughur which was crowded ahead of the Eid festival which has left at least nine dead and 30 others injured. A report by Reuters citing tracking centres said that the warplanes were Russia’s Sukhoi jets.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Russian jets bomb Syrian city of Idlib, nine dead and 30 injured

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Rami Abdel Rahman, who heads the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AFP, “Six civilians were killed in Jisr al-Shughur and three rebel fighters were killed nearby by Russian air strikes”. Similarly, the SOHR and AFP said that a fruit and vegetable market in the city was hit by the Russian strike.&nbsp;

According to Ahmed Yezidi of the civil defence in Jisr al-Shughur, which is a city in the rebel-held, Idlib province said that nine people were killed, without mentioning if they were civilians or fighters. He called this bombing a “direct attack on the popular market, which is a basic source of income for farmers” in the area, as quoted by AFP.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-diplomat-discusses-international-issues-amid-wagner-mutiny-608538">Russian diplomat in China discusses ‘international’ issues, Beijing 'supports' Moscow over Wagner mutiny</a>

Abdel Rahman told AFP, that one civilian and one rebel fighter were also killed in a strike on the outskirts of Idlib city, adding that at least 30 civilians were wounded in Sunday’s strikes and the death toll might rise.&nbsp;

<h2>Attacks in Jabal al Zawya region</h2>

Similarly, Reuters citing witnesses and rescuers said that Russian jets reportedly also attacked villages in the mountainous Jabal al Zawya region which are on the western outskirts of Idlib city. Notably, the region is said to be a buffer zone carved out by Russia and Turkey which also ended major fighting half a decade ago.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wagner-rebellion-when-putins-former-chef-served-a-dish-of-treason-ten-points-608452">Wagner rebellion: When Putin’s former favourite chef served a dish of ‘treason’ | 10 points</a>

There were no official statements about the supposed attacks by Syria or Russia. According to Abdel Rahman, Moscow, which backs Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, carried out the reported air strikes in response to rebel drone attacks over the past week that killed four civilians including two children, reported AFP.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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In what is being described as a major flare-up of violence in Syria’s last opposition stronghold, Russian jets reportedly bombed villages and towns near the northwestern Syrian city of Idlib, on Sunday (June 25), reported Reuters.

In what is being described as a major flare-up of violence in Syria’s last opposition stronghold, Russian jets reportedly bombed villages and towns near the northwestern Syrian city of Idlib, on Sunday (June 25), reported Reuters. Meanwhile, a Syrian war monitor told AFP, that at least 11 people, including seven civilians, were killed in the region, while dozens of others were wounded. What do we know about the bombings? The Western-backed White Helmets emergency service, on Sunday, said that warplanes flying at high altitudes dropped bombs on a vegetable market in Jisr al-Shughur which was crowded ahead of the Eid festival which has left at least nine dead and 30 others injured. A report by Reuters citing tracking centres said that the warplanes were Russia’s Sukhoi jets. ALSO WATCH | Russian jets bomb Syrian city of Idlib, nine dead and 30 injured Rami Abdel Rahman, who heads the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AFP, “Six civilians were killed in Jisr al-Shughur and three rebel fighters were killed nearby by Russian air strikes”. Similarly, the SOHR and AFP said that a fruit and vegetable market in the city was hit by the Russian strike. According to Ahmed Yezidi of the civil defence in Jisr al-Shughur, which is a city in the rebel-held, Idlib province said that nine people were killed, without mentioning if they were civilians or fighters. He called this bombing a “direct attack on the popular market, which is a basic source of income for farmers” in the area, as quoted by AFP. ALSO READ | Russian diplomat in China discusses ‘international’ issues, Beijing 'supports' Moscow over Wagner mutiny Abdel Rahman told AFP, that one civilian and one rebel fighter were also killed in a strike on the outskirts of Idlib city, adding that at least 30 civilians were wounded in Sunday’s strikes and the death toll might rise. Attacks in Jabal al Zawya region Similarly, Reuters citing witnesses and rescuers said that Russian jets reportedly also attacked villages in the mountainous Jabal al Zawya region which are on the western outskirts of Idlib city. Notably, the region is said to be a buffer zone carved out by Russia and Turkey which also ended major fighting half a decade ago. ALSO READ | Wagner rebellion: When Putin’s former favourite chef served a dish of ‘treason’ | 10 points There were no official statements about the supposed attacks by Syria or Russia. According to Abdel Rahman, Moscow, which backs Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, carried out the reported air strikes in response to rebel drone attacks over the past week that killed four civilians including two children, reported AFP. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russia jets step up strikes in rebel-held Syria, at least 11 killed: Reports

At a football stadium in Syria's Idlib, re-purposed to shelter Syrians displaced by war, children are being offered a service that has become a sought-after commodity the world over since the coronavirus pandemic set in: a haircut.

In Syria's Idlib, traveling barbers bring children relief

Turkish forces and Syrian rebel allies will push into Syria "shortly", a Turkish official said on Wednesday, in an operation world powers fear could open a new chapter in Syria's ruinous eight-year-old war.

Turkey has been poised to advance into northeast Syria since the US&nbsp;troops began vacating the area in an abrupt policy shift by US&nbsp;President Donald Trump widely criticised in Washington as a betrayal of America's Kurdish militia allies.

On Tuesday, Turkish officials told Reuters that the military had <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-strikes-in-syrian-iraqi-border-ahead-of-planned-offensive-254608">struck the Syrian-Iraqi border</a> to prevent Kurdish forces using the route to reinforce the region, though details of the strikes were hazy.

"Our work concerning the operation is continuing, the deployments, preparations are continuing," Defence Minister Hulusi Akar told broadcaster NTV.

Ankara has said it intends to create a "safe zone" in order to return millions of refugees to Syrian soil, but the scheme has alarmed some Western allies as much as the risks posed by the military operation itself.

For Turkey, which views Kurdish YPG fighters in northeast Syria as terrorists because of their ties to militants waging an insurgency inside Turkey, an influx of non-Kurdish Syrians would help it secure a buffer against its main security threat.

The Kurdish-led authority in northern Syria declared a state of "general mobilization" across north and east Syria in light of the looming attack.

"We call on all our institutions, and our people in all their components, to head towards the border region with Turkey to fulfil their moral duty and show resistance in these sensitive, historic moments," it said in a statement.

President Tayyip Erdogan's communications director Fahrettin Altun said YPG fighters could either defect or Ankara would have to "stop them from disrupting" what he described as Turkey's struggle against Islamic State militants.

'Armed&nbsp;Thugs'

"The Turkish military, together with the Free Syrian Army, will cross the Turkish-Syrian border shortly," Altun wrote in a tweet and in a column published in the Washington Post. "Turkey has no ambition in northeastern Syria except to neutralize a long-standing threat against Turkish citizens and to liberate the local population from the yoke of armed thugs," he said.

Turkey's Demiroren news agency said Syrian rebels travelled from northwest Syria to Turkey in preparation for the incursion.

They will be based on the Turkish border town of Ceylanpinar, it said, across the border from the Syrian town of Ras al-Ain, with 14,000 of them gradually joining the offensive.

The Hamza Brigade rebels from the National Army, the main rebel grouping that Turkey supports in northwest Syria, moved in a bus convoy along with trucks carrying ammunition, DHA said.

"The National Army forces are still preparing for the start of operations east of the Euphrates (river) and they have started moving to the frontlines," National Army spokesman Youssef Hammoud said, adding he could not say if the battle would start within hours or days.

Previous Turkish operations backed by the rebels in Syria started with air operations, followed by artillery and then ground forces, Hammoud said.

A large convoy of buses carrying Syrian rebel fighters and trucks loaded with equipment arrived at the Turkish border town of Akcakale early on Wednesday, a Reuters witness said.

At Akcakale, across from Syria's Tel Abyad, howitzers were deployed behind earth embankments and pointed towards Syria, a Reuters witness said on Tuesday. Multiple launch rocket systems were stationed at Suruc, some 60 km&nbsp;to the west, opposite the Syrian border town of Kobani, he said.

Russia&nbsp;calls&nbsp;for&nbsp;dialogue

Russia, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's strongest foreign ally, urged dialogue between Damascus and Syria's Kurds on solving issues in northeast Syria including border security.

"We heard statements yesterday both from Damascus officials and the Kurdish representatives that they are ready for such dialogue," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters during a visit to Kazakhstan.

"We will do our best to support the start of such substantive talks and hope it will be supported by all the key foreign players," said Lavrov, adding he spoke on Tuesday to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who said the Turkish side respected Syria's territorial integrity.

Kurdish-led forces said on Tuesday they might start talks with the Syrian government and Russia to fill a security vacuum in the event of a full US&nbsp;troop withdrawal.

The prospect of a military offensive has unsettled Turkish financial markets, with the lira this week hitting its weakest level since late August. The currency firmed slightly to 5.8220 against the dollar on Wednesday morning.

Erdogan will visit the United States on November&nbsp;13 at Trump's invitation, a White House spokesman said. On Monday, Erdogan said US&nbsp;troops had started to withdraw after a phone call he had with Trump, adding that talks between Turkish and US&nbsp;officials on the matter would continue.

"Unfortunately, Turkey has chosen to act unilaterally. As a result, we have moved the US&nbsp;forces in northern Syria out of the path of potential Turkish incursion to ensure their safety," US&nbsp;Defense Department spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said.

Trump's decision to withdraw troops from northeast Syria has rattled allies, including France, one of Washington's main partners in the US-led&nbsp;coalition fighting Islamic State.

Amid deepening humanitarian concerns, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all parties in northeast Syria to exercise maximum restraint and protect civilians.

Kurdish-led forces have denounced the US&nbsp;policy shift as a "stab in the back". But Trump denied he had abandoned the Kurdish forces, the most effective US&nbsp;partners in fighting Islamic State in Syria.

Turkish forces and Syrian rebel allies will push into Syria "shortly", a Turkish official said on Wednesday, in an operation world powers fear could open a new chapter in Syria's ruinous eight-year-old war.

Turkish forces and Syrian rebel allies will push into Syria "shortly", a Turkish official said on Wednesday, in an operation world powers fear could open a new chapter in Syria's ruinous eight-year-old war. Turkey has been poised to advance into northeast Syria since the US troops began vacating the area in an abrupt policy shift by US President Donald Trump widely criticised in Washington as a betrayal of America's Kurdish militia allies. On Tuesday, Turkish officials told Reuters that the military had struck the Syrian-Iraqi border to prevent Kurdish forces using the route to reinforce the region, though details of the strikes were hazy. "Our work concerning the operation is continuing, the deployments, preparations are continuing," Defence Minister Hulusi Akar told broadcaster NTV. Ankara has said it intends to create a "safe zone" in order to return millions of refugees to Syrian soil, but the scheme has alarmed some Western allies as much as the risks posed by the military operation itself. For Turkey, which views Kurdish YPG fighters in northeast Syria as terrorists because of their ties to militants waging an insurgency inside Turkey, an influx of non-Kurdish Syrians would help it secure a buffer against its main security threat. The Kurdish-led authority in northern Syria declared a state of "general mobilization" across north and east Syria in light of the looming attack. "We call on all our institutions, and our people in all their components, to head towards the border region with Turkey to fulfil their moral duty and show resistance in these sensitive, historic moments," it said in a statement. President Tayyip Erdogan's communications director Fahrettin Altun said YPG fighters could either defect or Ankara would have to "stop them from disrupting" what he described as Turkey's struggle against Islamic State militants. 'Armed Thugs' "The Turkish military, together with the Free Syrian Army, will cross the Turkish-Syrian border shortly," Altun wrote in a tweet and in a column published in the Washington Post. "Turkey has no ambition in northeastern Syria except to neutralize a long-standing threat against Turkish citizens and to liberate the local population from the yoke of armed thugs," he said. Turkey's Demiroren news agency said Syrian rebels travelled from northwest Syria to Turkey in preparation for the incursion. They will be based on the Turkish border town of Ceylanpinar, it said, across the border from the Syrian town of Ras al-Ain, with 14,000 of them gradually joining the offensive. The Hamza Brigade rebels from the National Army, the main rebel grouping that Turkey supports in northwest Syria, moved in a bus convoy along with trucks carrying ammunition, DHA said. "The National Army forces are still preparing for the start of operations east of the Euphrates (river) and they have started moving to the frontlines," National Army spokesman Youssef Hammoud said, adding he could not say if the battle would start within hours or days. Previous Turkish operations backed by the rebels in Syria started with air operations, followed by artillery and then ground forces, Hammoud said. A large convoy of buses carrying Syrian rebel fighters and trucks loaded with equipment arrived at the Turkish border town of Akcakale early on Wednesday, a Reuters witness said. At Akcakale, across from Syria's Tel Abyad, howitzers were deployed behind earth embankments and pointed towards Syria, a Reuters witness said on Tuesday. Multiple launch rocket systems were stationed at Suruc, some 60 km to the west, opposite the Syrian border town of Kobani, he said. Russia calls for dialogue Russia, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's strongest foreign ally, urged dialogue between Damascus and Syria's Kurds on solving issues in northeast Syria including border security. "We heard statements yesterday both from Damascus officials and the Kurdish representatives that they are ready for such dialogue," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters during a visit to Kazakhstan. "We will do our best to support the start of such substantive talks and hope it will be supported by all the key foreign players," said Lavrov, adding he spoke on Tuesday to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who said the Turkish side respected Syria's territorial integrity. Kurdish-led forces said on Tuesday they might start talks with the Syrian government and Russia to fill a security vacuum in the event of a full US troop withdrawal. The prospect of a military offensive has unsettled Turkish financial markets, with the lira this week hitting its weakest level since late August. The currency firmed slightly to 5.8220 against the dollar on Wednesday morning. Erdogan will visit the United States on November 13 at Trump's invitation, a White House spokesman said. On Monday, Erdogan said US troops had started to withdraw after a phone call he had with Trump, adding that talks between Turkish and US officials on the matter would continue. "Unfortunately, Turkey has chosen to act unilaterally. As a result, we have moved the US forces in northern Syria out of the path of potential Turkish incursion to ensure their safety," US Defense Department spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said. Trump's decision to withdraw troops from northeast Syria has rattled allies, including France, one of Washington's main partners in the US-led coalition fighting Islamic State. Amid deepening humanitarian concerns, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all parties in northeast Syria to exercise maximum restraint and protect civilians. Kurdish-led forces have denounced the US policy shift as a "stab in the back". But Trump denied he had abandoned the Kurdish forces, the most effective US partners in fighting Islamic State in Syria.

Turkish military, Syrian rebels to enter Syria 'shortly': Erdogan aide

Turkey has equipped an array of mainstream Syrian rebels it backs with fresh supplies of weaponry to help them try to repel a major Russian-backed assault, senior opposition officials and rebel sources said on Saturday.

Russia is backing the Syrian army's large aerial and ground assault as it seeks to gain control of the last big stretch of rebel-held territory in the northwest of the country.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad launched the assault last month, saying rebels had breached an existing ceasefire, triggering a civilian exodus by bombarding Idlib and adjacent areas. It has been the biggest escalation since last summer between Assad and his enemies in Idlib province and a belt of territory around it.

Ankara stepped up supplies in recent days after failing to persuade Russia in recent meetings of a joint working group that it should end its escalation to avert a major influx of refugees pouring into Turkey, two senior opposition figures said.

In doing so Turkey signalled its readiness to preserve its influence in northwestern Syria, where it has beefed up its troop presence in a dozen military bases that were set up under a de-escalation deal with Russia, a senior rebel commander said.

Turkish officials were not immediately available to comment.

Overnight, a Turkish military convoy arrived at a base in northern Hama near rebel-held Jabal al-Zawiya, where Russian and Syrian jets have been pounding for weeks, a rebel and a witness said.

The delivery of dozens of armoured vehicles, Grad rocket launchers, anti-tank guided missiles and so-called TOW missiles, helped roll back some Syrian army gains and retake the strategically located town of Kfar Nabouda, one senior opposition figure said.

The TOW missile had been the most potent weapon in the arsenal of rebel groups battling Assad during the conflict. It was extended by Western and Arab foes of Assad until a CIA-led programme of military support to help moderate rebels was suspended in 2017.

A Western intelligence source said Washington had given a "green light" for the Turkey-backed mainstream rebels to use the TOW missiles, which had been in storage in the latest campaign.

Washington, which has criticised Russia's latest campaign and urged a ceasefire, also said it saw signs that Assad has used poison gas in the latest offensive and warned that it would respond "quickly and appropriately" if this were proven.

Assad has denied such allegations throughout the war.

A spokesman for the Turkey-backed National Liberation Front (NLF), Captain Naji Mustafa, did not confirm or deny any new supplies by Turkey, saying rebels had long had a big arsenal of weapons from anti-tank to armoured vehicles "alongside material and logistical support by our Turkish brothers".

The retreat from Kfar Nabouda was upset to a Russian goal of a speedy military campaign to gain another slice of heavily populated Idlib province.

In the last 24 hours, the Syrian army has been sending large troop reinforcements ahead of opening a new front, a source in touch with Syrian army commanders told Reuters.

The Syrian army said on Saturday it continued to intensify its attacks on what it called terrorist hideouts in the northwest.

A Turkey backed-rebel grouping called the National Army, which operates in northwestern border areas near Turkey, has been allowed to join mainstream rebel factions along the frontlines.

"Large numbers of our fighters have joined with all their weapons to repel the assault," said Major Youssef Hamoud, their spokesman.

The rebels' readiness to put aside differences that once led to bloody internecine fighting has united jihadists and mainstream rebels for the first time in years.

Watch:&nbsp;Russian army says Syrian forces have called a ceasefire in Idlib

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Turkey has equipped an array of mainstream Syrian rebels it backs with fresh supplies of weaponry to help them try to repel a major Russian-backed assault, senior opposition officials and rebel sources said on Saturday.

Turkey has equipped an array of mainstream Syrian rebels it backs with fresh supplies of weaponry to help them try to repel a major Russian-backed assault, senior opposition officials and rebel sources said on Saturday. Russia is backing the Syrian army's large aerial and ground assault as it seeks to gain control of the last big stretch of rebel-held territory in the northwest of the country. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad launched the assault last month, saying rebels had breached an existing ceasefire, triggering a civilian exodus by bombarding Idlib and adjacent areas. It has been the biggest escalation since last summer between Assad and his enemies in Idlib province and a belt of territory around it. Ankara stepped up supplies in recent days after failing to persuade Russia in recent meetings of a joint working group that it should end its escalation to avert a major influx of refugees pouring into Turkey, two senior opposition figures said. In doing so Turkey signalled its readiness to preserve its influence in northwestern Syria, where it has beefed up its troop presence in a dozen military bases that were set up under a de-escalation deal with Russia, a senior rebel commander said. Turkish officials were not immediately available to comment. Overnight, a Turkish military convoy arrived at a base in northern Hama near rebel-held Jabal al-Zawiya, where Russian and Syrian jets have been pounding for weeks, a rebel and a witness said. The delivery of dozens of armoured vehicles, Grad rocket launchers, anti-tank guided missiles and so-called TOW missiles, helped roll back some Syrian army gains and retake the strategically located town of Kfar Nabouda, one senior opposition figure said. The TOW missile had been the most potent weapon in the arsenal of rebel groups battling Assad during the conflict. It was extended by Western and Arab foes of Assad until a CIA-led programme of military support to help moderate rebels was suspended in 2017. A Western intelligence source said Washington had given a "green light" for the Turkey-backed mainstream rebels to use the TOW missiles, which had been in storage in the latest campaign. Washington, which has criticised Russia's latest campaign and urged a ceasefire, also said it saw signs that Assad has used poison gas in the latest offensive and warned that it would respond "quickly and appropriately" if this were proven. Assad has denied such allegations throughout the war. A spokesman for the Turkey-backed National Liberation Front (NLF), Captain Naji Mustafa, did not confirm or deny any new supplies by Turkey, saying rebels had long had a big arsenal of weapons from anti-tank to armoured vehicles "alongside material and logistical support by our Turkish brothers". The retreat from Kfar Nabouda was upset to a Russian goal of a speedy military campaign to gain another slice of heavily populated Idlib province. In the last 24 hours, the Syrian army has been sending large troop reinforcements ahead of opening a new front, a source in touch with Syrian army commanders told Reuters. The Syrian army said on Saturday it continued to intensify its attacks on what it called terrorist hideouts in the northwest. A Turkey backed-rebel grouping called the National Army, which operates in northwestern border areas near Turkey, has been allowed to join mainstream rebel factions along the frontlines. "Large numbers of our fighters have joined with all their weapons to repel the assault," said Major Youssef Hamoud, their spokesman. The rebels' readiness to put aside differences that once led to bloody internecine fighting has united jihadists and mainstream rebels for the first time in years. Watch: Russian army says Syrian forces have called a ceasefire in Idlib ×

Turkey sends weapons to Syrian rebels facing Russian-backed assault

Deadly clashes erupted overnight as jihadist fighters attacked two besieged regime-controlled villages in northwestern Syria, a monitor said on Sunday.

The villages of Fuaa and Kafraya represent a tiny pocket of regime-held territory in Syria's northwest Idlib province, which is otherwise almost entirely controlled by various jihadist and hardline rebels.

Occasional skirmishes erupt there but the frontline has been quiet in recent months.&nbsp

Late Saturday, fighters from Al-Qaeda's former Syrian affiliate attacked Fuaa and Kafraya, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.&nbsp

"Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) began heavily shelling the two villages, and broke into Fuaa to attack local fighters," said Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman.&nbsp

"This is the fiercest attack in around three years," he told AFP.

The fighting, which was continuing Sunday, had killed six Syrian pro-regime fighters and at least three from HTS.

Syrian state news agency SANA also reported the attack, and said local fighters had been able to push HTS back.

Around 10,000 people, most of them Shiite Muslims, are estimated to live in the two villages. Syrian troops also hold some territory in Idlib's east, including the key Abu Duhur airbase.&nbsp

In apparent retaliation for the attack, Syrian warplanes pounded several towns around Fuaa and Kafraya on Sunday, AFP's correspondent and a monitor said.&nbsp

Fuaa and Kafraya are the only two places in Syria currently designated as besieged by the United Nations.

Siege tactics have been used throughout Syria's seven-year conflict, mostly by the government.&nbsp

Troops have employed the tactic alongside heavy bombing to cut off food and medicine to rebel-held areas, then coerce people to agree to leave in population transfer deals. After such agreements, the United Nations no longer considers those areas as besieged. &nbsp

The fate of Fuaa and Kafraya has been heavily impacted by such deals.&nbsp

They made up part of the Four Towns Agreement, a complex deal that saw tit-for-tat evacuations and aid deliveries between Fuaa and Kafraya on one hand, and the government-besieged towns of Zabadani and Madaya.&nbsp

Idlib, which lies on the border with Turkey, has seen its population balloon in recent years as fighters and civilians evacuated from other opposition areas are dumped there.&nbsp

Rebels overran most of Idlib in 2015, but the mainstream opposition's influence has dwindled as jihadists like HTS have solidified their grip on the province.

In recent months, regime forces have recaptured a sliver of the province and the Islamic State group is conducting hit-and-run attacks there against its HTS rival.&nbsp

Last week, clashes in Idlib between HTS and an IS sleeper cell made up of Iraqi jihadists left more than two dozen fighters dead, mostly from IS.&nbsp

In retaliation, the IS cell executed five HTS fighters it had abducted in Idlib, the Britain-based Observatory said Sunday.&nbsp

HTS also killed six IS members it had captured in the clashes.

The villages of Fuaa and Kafraya represent a tiny pocket of regime-held territory in Syria's northwest Idlib province, which is otherwise almost entirely controlled by various jihadist and hardline rebels

Deadly clashes erupted overnight as jihadist fighters attacked two besieged regime-controlled villages in northwestern Syria, a monitor said on Sunday. The villages of Fuaa and Kafraya represent a tiny pocket of regime-held territory in Syria's northwest Idlib province, which is otherwise almost entirely controlled by various jihadist and hardline rebels. Occasional skirmishes erupt there but the frontline has been quiet in recent months. Late Saturday, fighters from Al-Qaeda's former Syrian affiliate attacked Fuaa and Kafraya, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) began heavily shelling the two villages, and broke into Fuaa to attack local fighters," said Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman. "This is the fiercest attack in around three years," he told AFP. The fighting, which was continuing Sunday, had killed six Syrian pro-regime fighters and at least three from HTS. Syrian state news agency SANA also reported the attack, and said local fighters had been able to push HTS back. Around 10,000 people, most of them Shiite Muslims, are estimated to live in the two villages. Syrian troops also hold some territory in Idlib's east, including the key Abu Duhur airbase. In apparent retaliation for the attack, Syrian warplanes pounded several towns around Fuaa and Kafraya on Sunday, AFP's correspondent and a monitor said. Fuaa and Kafraya are the only two places in Syria currently designated as besieged by the United Nations. Siege tactics have been used throughout Syria's seven-year conflict, mostly by the government. Troops have employed the tactic alongside heavy bombing to cut off food and medicine to rebel-held areas, then coerce people to agree to leave in population transfer deals. After such agreements, the United Nations no longer considers those areas as besieged. The fate of Fuaa and Kafraya has been heavily impacted by such deals. They made up part of the Four Towns Agreement, a complex deal that saw tit-for-tat evacuations and aid deliveries between Fuaa and Kafraya on one hand, and the government-besieged towns of Zabadani and Madaya. Idlib, which lies on the border with Turkey, has seen its population balloon in recent years as fighters and civilians evacuated from other opposition areas are dumped there. Rebels overran most of Idlib in 2015, but the mainstream opposition's influence has dwindled as jihadists like HTS have solidified their grip on the province. In recent months, regime forces have recaptured a sliver of the province and the Islamic State group is conducting hit-and-run attacks there against its HTS rival. Last week, clashes in Idlib between HTS and an IS sleeper cell made up of Iraqi jihadists left more than two dozen fighters dead, mostly from IS. In retaliation, the IS cell executed five HTS fighters it had abducted in Idlib, the Britain-based Observatory said Sunday. HTS also killed six IS members it had captured in the clashes.

Deadly clashes as jihadists attack two besieged Syria regime villages

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-a-first-indias-external-affairs-minister-vk-singh-visits-north-korea-meets-top-officials-137431">In a first, India's minister VK Singh visits North Korea, meets top officials</a>

India's minister of state for external affairs General VK Singh visited North Korea from May 15-16.

India and North Korea had established diplomatic relations in December, 1973, this year marks the 45th anniversary of relations between the two countries.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-announces-ceasefire-during-ramzan-in-jk-137400">Government announces ceasefire during Ramzan in J&K</a>

The home ministry today declared a state of ceasefire during Ramzan in Jammu and Kashmir

Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti had appealed for ceasefire earlier.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/the-roller-coaster-life-of-malaysias-anwar-ibrahim-137384">The roller-coaster life of Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim</a>

Anwar Ibrahim, a controversial figure in Malaysian politics, was freed on Wednesday after pardon from King Sultan Muhammad V. Anwar was sentenced to five-year jail term for sodomy, a charge he says was trumped up by the government of ousted Prime Minister Najib Razak.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/syrian-rebels-pull-out-of-their-last-besieged-area-137393">Syrian rebels pull out of their last besieged area</a>

The remaining fighters started to withdraw from the last rebel-held enclave in central Syria on Wednesday, state television reported, sealing the government's control over the area and opening a major stretch of the country's most important highway.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/west-bengal-panchayat-elections-ballot-boxes-stolen-in-malda-at-gunpoint-137358">Watch: WB panchayat polls — Ballot box looted at gunpoint in Malda</a>

Brandishing a gun, unidentified miscreants, on Wednesday, escaped with a ballot box from polling booth no. 76 in Malda's Ratua during the re-polling in the Panchayat elections.

&nbsp

In a first, India's minister VK Singh visits North Korea, meets top officials India's minister of state for external affairs General VK Singh visited North Korea from May 15-16. India and North Korea had established diplomatic relations in December, 1973, this year marks the 45th anniversary of relations between the two countries. Government announces ceasefire during Ramzan in J&K The home ministry today declared a state of ceasefire during Ramzan in Jammu and Kashmir Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti had appealed for ceasefire earlier. The roller-coaster life of Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim Anwar Ibrahim, a controversial figure in Malaysian politics, was freed on Wednesday after pardon from King Sultan Muhammad V. Anwar was sentenced to five-year jail term for sodomy, a charge he says was trumped up by the government of ousted Prime Minister Najib Razak. Syrian rebels pull out of their last besieged area The remaining fighters started to withdraw from the last rebel-held enclave in central Syria on Wednesday, state television reported, sealing the government's control over the area and opening a major stretch of the country's most important highway. Watch: WB panchayat polls — Ballot box looted at gunpoint in Malda Brandishing a gun, unidentified miscreants, on Wednesday, escaped with a ballot box from polling booth no. 76 in Malda's Ratua during the re-polling in the Panchayat elections.

News brief: Big stories of the day

After the departure of the last rebel fighters from the city of Douma towards the north of the country, Syria's army command on Saturday (April 14) announced that the eastern Ghouta region was free of militants, state media reported, citing a statement by the Syrian army general command.

The Jaish al-Islam rebel group, which had controlled the city, on Sunday reached an agreement with the government and its Russian military allies to leave the city shortly after an alleged chemical attack on April 7 that killed dozens of civilians.

The attack prompted a joint military operation by the United States, Britain and France on Saturday targetting various Syrian facilities near Damascus and the city of Homs.

Buses carrying rebels and their families and civilians who did not wish to stay in Douma under President Bashar al-Assad's rule have left the city in batches over the past few days to travel to opposition-held areas in northern Syria, near the border with Turkey.

Backed by Russian firepower, the government forces launched their offensive against eastern Ghouta in February.

British-based war monitoring group, the Syrian Observatory for Human rights says the campaign killed more than 1,600 civilians.

The conquest of Douma underlines how Russia's entry into the fray in 2015 on Assad's side has now helped him to an unassailable position in a conflict that mushroomed out of protests against his rule seven years ago.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The Jaish al-Islam rebel group, which had controlled the city, on Sunday reached an agreement with the government and its Russian military allies to leave the city shortly after an alleged chemical attack on April 7 that killed dozens of civilians

After the departure of the last rebel fighters from the city of Douma towards the north of the country, Syria's army command on Saturday (April 14) announced that the eastern Ghouta region was free of militants, state media reported, citing a statement by the Syrian army general command. The Jaish al-Islam rebel group, which had controlled the city, on Sunday reached an agreement with the government and its Russian military allies to leave the city shortly after an alleged chemical attack on April 7 that killed dozens of civilians. The attack prompted a joint military operation by the United States, Britain and France on Saturday targetting various Syrian facilities near Damascus and the city of Homs. Buses carrying rebels and their families and civilians who did not wish to stay in Douma under President Bashar al-Assad's rule have left the city in batches over the past few days to travel to opposition-held areas in northern Syria, near the border with Turkey. Backed by Russian firepower, the government forces launched their offensive against eastern Ghouta in February. British-based war monitoring group, the Syrian Observatory for Human rights says the campaign killed more than 1,600 civilians. The conquest of Douma underlines how Russia's entry into the fray in 2015 on Assad's side has now helped him to an unassailable position in a conflict that mushroomed out of protests against his rule seven years ago. (With inputs from Reuters)

Syrian army declares eastern Ghouta free of rebel fighters

Hundreds more Syrian rebels and civilians prepared Friday to leave Eastern Ghouta under a negotiated withdrawal, as Russia unilaterally announced a similar deal to empty the final pocket of the battered enclave.

The former rebel bastion on the outskirts of Damascus has been drained by a nearly six-week Syrian government assault and a pair of evacuation deals brokered by regime ally Moscow.

Under such agreements, rebels agree to hand over territory in exchange for safe passage for them and civilians to opposition zones in northwest Syria.

More than 36,000 people have already been bussed out of the enclave, and fresh evacuations were underway on Friday.

Around 1,000 people, a quarter of them fighters, were boarding buses in a pocket of Ghouta held by the Faylaq al-Rahman rebel faction, according to Syrian state media.

That agreement, reached last week, left the overpopulated, devastated town of Douma as the final rebel holdout in the region.

Russia's defence ministry on Friday said it had brokered a deal that would see rebels abandon Douma "shortly", but the fighters there quickly denied it.

"We categorically refuse leaving or being displaced," said Jaish al-Islam's spokesman Hamza Bayraqdar.&nbsp

"That's an essential demand of the negotiations. We have not reached an agreement yet," he told AFP, adding that talks were ongoing.&nbsp

Eastern Ghouta was the armed opposition's last stronghold around Damascus, which groups regularly targeted with rockets and mortar rounds.

Stalling talks&nbsp

To secure Damascus, President Bashar al-Assad launched a ferocious air and ground assault on February 18 to oust rebels from their perch in Ghouta.

More than 1,600 civilians have been killed in the onslaught, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group.

Troops pursued a divide-and-conquer strategy, seizing most of the enclave then breaking up what was left of it into three isolated pockets.

Moscow stepped in and swiftly announced two withdrawal agreements with rebels, the first of which saw more than 4,500 fighters and civilians bussed out of the town of Harasta.

The second deal, reached with Faylaq al-Rahman one week ago, has seen more than 31,000 people quit the towns of Arbin and Zamalka and the Jobar district.&nbsp

In the first two deals, rebels caved in to Russia's "leave or die" approach but negotiations for the Douma pocket, held by Jaish al-Islam, has looked more arduous.

Douma's population has swelled to an estimated 200,000 with people displaced from other bombed-out districts. &nbsp

Jaish al-Islam had been in talks with Russia to reach a settlement whereby they could stay, instead of being bused out like other rebels.&nbsp

But negotiations faltered over the group's demands of a general amnesty and safe passage for Douma residents to move freely across the country, a source with knowledge of the talks told AFP.&nbsp

Moscow threatened Jaish al-Islam with a renewed blitz on the town if they did not agree to withdraw, and Syrian troops have amassed around the holdout.&nbsp

'Nearly wiped out'

The rebel movement have also come under growing pressure from Douma's residents, hundreds of whom have organised demonstrations demanding a status update on the talks.

On Thursday, Russia's foreign minister said Syrian forces had ousted nearly all rebels from Ghouta.&nbsp

"As a result of this anti-terrorism operation in Eastern Ghouta, terrorist elements have nearly been wiped out of this suburb of the Syrian capital," Sergei Lavrov said.&nbsp

Syria's state news agency SANA said around 29,000 civilians had fled Douma in recent days, using a "corridor" opened up by advancing Syrian troops.

SANA said a total of 143,000 people in total had streamed out of Ghouta along such corridors and as part of the evacuation deals.

It did not confirm the agreement with Jaish al-Islam, but its correspondent said "preliminary information" indicated a deal was close to being reached.&nbsp

The rebels evacuated so far were bussed to the northwestern province of Idlib and one of the sticking points in the Douma talks appears to be the destination.

"The problem with Jaish al-Islam is that it's quite big, very cohesive, very organised, but it doesn't go well with anyone else," said Thomas Pierret, an analyst at the National Center for Scientific Research in Paris.

The former rebel bastion on the outskirts of Damascus has been drained by a nearly six-week Syrian government assault and a pair of evacuation deals brokered by regime ally Moscow

Hundreds more Syrian rebels and civilians prepared Friday to leave Eastern Ghouta under a negotiated withdrawal, as Russia unilaterally announced a similar deal to empty the final pocket of the battered enclave. The former rebel bastion on the outskirts of Damascus has been drained by a nearly six-week Syrian government assault and a pair of evacuation deals brokered by regime ally Moscow. Under such agreements, rebels agree to hand over territory in exchange for safe passage for them and civilians to opposition zones in northwest Syria. More than 36,000 people have already been bussed out of the enclave, and fresh evacuations were underway on Friday. Around 1,000 people, a quarter of them fighters, were boarding buses in a pocket of Ghouta held by the Faylaq al-Rahman rebel faction, according to Syrian state media. That agreement, reached last week, left the overpopulated, devastated town of Douma as the final rebel holdout in the region. Russia's defence ministry on Friday said it had brokered a deal that would see rebels abandon Douma "shortly", but the fighters there quickly denied it. "We categorically refuse leaving or being displaced," said Jaish al-Islam's spokesman Hamza Bayraqdar. "That's an essential demand of the negotiations. We have not reached an agreement yet," he told AFP, adding that talks were ongoing. Eastern Ghouta was the armed opposition's last stronghold around Damascus, which groups regularly targeted with rockets and mortar rounds. Stalling talks To secure Damascus, President Bashar al-Assad launched a ferocious air and ground assault on February 18 to oust rebels from their perch in Ghouta. More than 1,600 civilians have been killed in the onslaught, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group. Troops pursued a divide-and-conquer strategy, seizing most of the enclave then breaking up what was left of it into three isolated pockets. Moscow stepped in and swiftly announced two withdrawal agreements with rebels, the first of which saw more than 4,500 fighters and civilians bussed out of the town of Harasta. The second deal, reached with Faylaq al-Rahman one week ago, has seen more than 31,000 people quit the towns of Arbin and Zamalka and the Jobar district. In the first two deals, rebels caved in to Russia's "leave or die" approach but negotiations for the Douma pocket, held by Jaish al-Islam, has looked more arduous. Douma's population has swelled to an estimated 200,000 with people displaced from other bombed-out districts. Jaish al-Islam had been in talks with Russia to reach a settlement whereby they could stay, instead of being bused out like other rebels. But negotiations faltered over the group's demands of a general amnesty and safe passage for Douma residents to move freely across the country, a source with knowledge of the talks told AFP. Moscow threatened Jaish al-Islam with a renewed blitz on the town if they did not agree to withdraw, and Syrian troops have amassed around the holdout. 'Nearly wiped out' The rebel movement have also come under growing pressure from Douma's residents, hundreds of whom have organised demonstrations demanding a status update on the talks. On Thursday, Russia's foreign minister said Syrian forces had ousted nearly all rebels from Ghouta. "As a result of this anti-terrorism operation in Eastern Ghouta, terrorist elements have nearly been wiped out of this suburb of the Syrian capital," Sergei Lavrov said. Syria's state news agency SANA said around 29,000 civilians had fled Douma in recent days, using a "corridor" opened up by advancing Syrian troops. SANA said a total of 143,000 people in total had streamed out of Ghouta along such corridors and as part of the evacuation deals. It did not confirm the agreement with Jaish al-Islam, but its correspondent said "preliminary information" indicated a deal was close to being reached. The rebels evacuated so far were bussed to the northwestern province of Idlib and one of the sticking points in the Douma talks appears to be the destination. "The problem with Jaish al-Islam is that it's quite big, very cohesive, very organised, but it doesn't go well with anyone else," said Thomas Pierret, an analyst at the National Center for Scientific Research in Paris.

Syrians quit Ghouta as talks for last pocket stutter

Syrian rebels and their families began leaving Syria&#39;s Eastern Ghouta on Thursday under the first evacuation deal in the shrinking opposition enclave outside Damascus.

The agreement announced on Wednesday and brokered by regime ally Russia, could empty one of three rebel-held pockets in the region and mark a major advance in government efforts to secure the nearby capital.

It could also increase pressure on rebels to follow suit in the two other opposition-held pockets of the besieged enclave, where tens of thousands of civilians remain trapped under relentless bombardment.

State television said around 1,824 people -- including 319 fighters -- had boarded buses from the Eastern Ghouta town of Harasta until now held by the Ahrar al-Sham rebel group.&nbsp;

A military source said that the rebels and accompanying civilians had boarded buses and were in a buffer zone, waiting to cross into regime-controlled territory.

Another military source said around 2,000 people are expected to leave in total, including around 700 fighters on Thursday.

Ahrar al-Sham spokesman Munzer Fares said the evacuations could last several days.&nbsp;

They followed renewed air strikes in Ghouta early on Thursday which killed 20 civilians, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.&nbsp;

Since February 18, a devastating Russian-backed offensive on Eastern Ghouta has sliced the shrinking enclave into three isolated pockets.

Rebels cut off

Central Damascus lies within mortar range of Eastern Ghouta, and the evacuation deal came after the deadliest rebel rocket attack on the capital in months killed 44 civilians on Tuesday.

Rebel fire on Thursday killed four people in Damascus, state television said.

The regime&#39;s offensive on Ghouta has killed more than 1,500 civilians since February 18, according to Observatory.

The rebels and their families will be transported to the northwestern province of Idlib, which is held by a myriad of jihadist, Islamist and secular groups, many with links to Turkey.

The evacuation from Harasta will further isolate the rebel groups that control the remaining two pockets of Eastern Ghouta and pile pressure on them to accept similar deals.

Syrian Reconciliation Minister Ali Haidar told AFP that Ahrar al-Sham had negotiated with the Russian Centre for Reconciliation and that Damascus was not directly involved.

Nawar Oliver, an analyst at the Turkey-based Omran Centre, said fighters in Harasta &quot;were not able to impose a single one of their conditions&quot;.

&#39;Tragic&#39; conditions

Opposition figures in Ghouta said talks were underway for a deal to evacuate rebels from the enclave&#39;s main town, Douma.

Douma is controlled by the Jaish al-Islam group, while a pocket of territory around the town of Zamalka, closer to the capital, is held by Faylaq al-Rahman with a small jihadist presence.

Air strikes on Zamalka killed 16 civilians on Thursday, the Observatory said.

An AFP reporter in Douma said hundreds of civilians were fleeing the town.

Similar evacuation deals have seen the government retake a string of former rebel bastions.

A May 2014 deal saw rebels pull out of the third city Homs, once labelled the &quot;capital of the revolution&quot; that sparked Syria&#39;s seven-year civil war.

In December 2016, the army retook the whole of the second city Aleppo as rebels withdrew in one of their worst defeats of the war.

Those agreements also followed devastating bombardments that took a heavy toll on trapped civilians.

The assault on Ghouta has sparked a mass exodus of civilians from the shrinking rebel enclave.

Some 50,000 people have reached shelters in the government-controlled territory in the past week, according to the United Nations.

On Wednesday, the UN&#39;s humanitarian coordinator in Syria said those displaced were living in &quot;tragic&quot; conditions.

&quot;People may have escaped fighting, fear and insecurity but they find themselves in a place without anywhere to wash themselves,&quot; Ali al-Zaatari said.

Syrian rebels and their families began leaving Syria's Eastern Ghouta on Thursday under the first evacuation deal in the shrinking opposition enclave outside Damascus

Syrian rebels and their families began leaving Syria's Eastern Ghouta on Thursday under the first evacuation deal in the shrinking opposition enclave outside Damascus. The agreement announced on Wednesday and brokered by regime ally Russia, could empty one of three rebel-held pockets in the region and mark a major advance in government efforts to secure the nearby capital. It could also increase pressure on rebels to follow suit in the two other opposition-held pockets of the besieged enclave, where tens of thousands of civilians remain trapped under relentless bombardment. State television said around 1,824 people -- including 319 fighters -- had boarded buses from the Eastern Ghouta town of Harasta until now held by the Ahrar al-Sham rebel group. A military source said that the rebels and accompanying civilians had boarded buses and were in a buffer zone, waiting to cross into regime-controlled territory. Another military source said around 2,000 people are expected to leave in total, including around 700 fighters on Thursday. Ahrar al-Sham spokesman Munzer Fares said the evacuations could last several days. They followed renewed air strikes in Ghouta early on Thursday which killed 20 civilians, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Since February 18, a devastating Russian-backed offensive on Eastern Ghouta has sliced the shrinking enclave into three isolated pockets. Rebels cut off Central Damascus lies within mortar range of Eastern Ghouta, and the evacuation deal came after the deadliest rebel rocket attack on the capital in months killed 44 civilians on Tuesday. Rebel fire on Thursday killed four people in Damascus, state television said. The regime's offensive on Ghouta has killed more than 1,500 civilians since February 18, according to Observatory. The rebels and their families will be transported to the northwestern province of Idlib, which is held by a myriad of jihadist, Islamist and secular groups, many with links to Turkey. The evacuation from Harasta will further isolate the rebel groups that control the remaining two pockets of Eastern Ghouta and pile pressure on them to accept similar deals. Syrian Reconciliation Minister Ali Haidar told AFP that Ahrar al-Sham had negotiated with the Russian Centre for Reconciliation and that Damascus was not directly involved. Nawar Oliver, an analyst at the Turkey-based Omran Centre, said fighters in Harasta "were not able to impose a single one of their conditions". 'Tragic' conditions Opposition figures in Ghouta said talks were underway for a deal to evacuate rebels from the enclave's main town, Douma. Douma is controlled by the Jaish al-Islam group, while a pocket of territory around the town of Zamalka, closer to the capital, is held by Faylaq al-Rahman with a small jihadist presence. Air strikes on Zamalka killed 16 civilians on Thursday, the Observatory said. An AFP reporter in Douma said hundreds of civilians were fleeing the town. Similar evacuation deals have seen the government retake a string of former rebel bastions. A May 2014 deal saw rebels pull out of the third city Homs, once labelled the "capital of the revolution" that sparked Syria's seven-year civil war. In December 2016, the army retook the whole of the second city Aleppo as rebels withdrew in one of their worst defeats of the war. Those agreements also followed devastating bombardments that took a heavy toll on trapped civilians. The assault on Ghouta has sparked a mass exodus of civilians from the shrinking rebel enclave. Some 50,000 people have reached shelters in the government-controlled territory in the past week, according to the United Nations. On Wednesday, the UN's humanitarian coordinator in Syria said those displaced were living in "tragic" conditions. "People may have escaped fighting, fear and insecurity but they find themselves in a place without anywhere to wash themselves," Ali al-Zaatari said.

First rebels quit Syria enclave under Russia-brokered deal

A day after Turkish troops and their Syrian rebel allies seized control of Afrin, a Turkish aid group started distributing relief supplies in the town centre on Monday, but residents continued to leave after widespread reports of looting.

Triumphant Syrian rebel fighters stood on a fallen statue, firing shots in the air, while military vehicles patrolled streets still littered with the debris from Turkey&#39;s eight-week offensive to drive out Kurdish YPG fighters.

Shops were closed and some people left for villages outside Afrin, the main town in a pocket of Kurdish-controlled territory in northwest Syria. One resident said the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army rebel fighters who swept into Afrin on Sunday morning had been looting shops and homes.

&quot;The Free Syrian Army came and entered into Afrin and supposedly we were going to be safe. But it turned out to be the opposite,&quot; said the man, who did not give his name.

&quot;The Free Syrian Army looted our cars, looted our houses, looted our shops. It has become like we are all homeless (even) in our houses. No food, no drink, no security.&quot;

Syria&#39;s foreign ministry, in a letter to the United Nations published by state media, said Afrin residents&#39; belongings were looted and their houses destroyed in the Turkey-led campaign.

An FSA spokesman in the region was not immediately available for comment.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan&#39;s spokesman said Ankara was taking reports of looting in Afrin seriously. &quot;We are looking into the incidents. Apparently they have happened. Some groups apparently did not follow the orders that were given by their commanders,&quot; Ibrahim Kalin told CNN.

Another man in Afrin, loading mattresses, carpets and other goods onto the back of a tractor trailer, said his family moved to the town from Bulbul, 30 km (20 miles) away, when Turkey launched its air and ground offensive in January.

&quot;The bombardment started so we fled to Afrin. Now we are returning from Afrin to our home because it&#39;s safer,&quot; he said.

The United Nations said two thirds of 323,000 residents had fled the wider Afrin region since the start of Turkey&#39;s campaign to drive out Kurdish YPG fighters, who it says are an extension of Kurdish militants waging a prolonged insurgency in southern Turkey.

It appealed for urgent supplies to &quot;stem the catastrophic situation&quot; for tens of thousands of people in Afrin and in Ghouta, where Syrian government forces are fighting to crush the last major rebel-held enclave on the edge of the capital.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) called on Monday for greater access to the civilian population of Afrin, saying that Turkey&#39;s Red Crescent lacked credibility among the Syrian Kurds after the Turkish military operation.

Turkey, however, has promised to support people in Afrin and on Monday its emergency relief agency AFAD was distributing aid in the centre of the town.

&quot;Since yesterday when the Turkish Army and Free Syrian Army entered here our duty started for the humanitarian affairs,&quot; said AFAD&#39;s director Mehmed Gulluoglu.

&quot;Today we are here for need assessment and also for the first distribution. We are distributing food, hygiene kits and some prepared food and some blankets any case.&quot;

Syrian rebels won their fight to drive out Kurdish YPG fighters and were on the streets celebrating, firing shots in the air.

A day after Turkish troops and their Syrian rebel allies seized control of Afrin, a Turkish aid group started distributing relief supplies in the town centre on Monday, but residents continued to leave after widespread reports of looting. Triumphant Syrian rebel fighters stood on a fallen statue, firing shots in the air, while military vehicles patrolled streets still littered with the debris from Turkey's eight-week offensive to drive out Kurdish YPG fighters. Shops were closed and some people left for villages outside Afrin, the main town in a pocket of Kurdish-controlled territory in northwest Syria. One resident said the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army rebel fighters who swept into Afrin on Sunday morning had been looting shops and homes. "The Free Syrian Army came and entered into Afrin and supposedly we were going to be safe. But it turned out to be the opposite," said the man, who did not give his name. "The Free Syrian Army looted our cars, looted our houses, looted our shops. It has become like we are all homeless (even) in our houses. No food, no drink, no security." Syria's foreign ministry, in a letter to the United Nations published by state media, said Afrin residents' belongings were looted and their houses destroyed in the Turkey-led campaign. An FSA spokesman in the region was not immediately available for comment. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman said Ankara was taking reports of looting in Afrin seriously. "We are looking into the incidents. Apparently they have happened. Some groups apparently did not follow the orders that were given by their commanders," Ibrahim Kalin told CNN. Another man in Afrin, loading mattresses, carpets and other goods onto the back of a tractor trailer, said his family moved to the town from Bulbul, 30 km (20 miles) away, when Turkey launched its air and ground offensive in January. "The bombardment started so we fled to Afrin. Now we are returning from Afrin to our home because it's safer," he said. The United Nations said two thirds of 323,000 residents had fled the wider Afrin region since the start of Turkey's campaign to drive out Kurdish YPG fighters, who it says are an extension of Kurdish militants waging a prolonged insurgency in southern Turkey. It appealed for urgent supplies to "stem the catastrophic situation" for tens of thousands of people in Afrin and in Ghouta, where Syrian government forces are fighting to crush the last major rebel-held enclave on the edge of the capital. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) called on Monday for greater access to the civilian population of Afrin, saying that Turkey's Red Crescent lacked credibility among the Syrian Kurds after the Turkish military operation. Turkey, however, has promised to support people in Afrin and on Monday its emergency relief agency AFAD was distributing aid in the centre of the town. "Since yesterday when the Turkish Army and Free Syrian Army entered here our duty started for the humanitarian affairs," said AFAD's director Mehmed Gulluoglu. "Today we are here for need assessment and also for the first distribution. We are distributing food, hygiene kits and some prepared food and some blankets any case."

After the battle: Aid, gunfire and looting in Syria's Afrin

Rebel fighters shot down a Russian plane over Syria&#39;s northwest Idlib province on Saturday, a monitor said, taking its Russian pilot captive.&nbsp;

&quot;Rebel factions shot down a Sukhoi 25. The Russian pilot came down in a parachute, before being captured,&quot; said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.&nbsp;

He could not immediately confirm which faction had shot down the warplane but hardline opposition factions and the jihadist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) are active in the area.

Rebel fighters shot down a Russian plane over Syria's northwest Idlib province on Saturday, a monitor said, taking its Russian pilot captive

Rebel fighters shot down a Russian plane over Syria's northwest Idlib province on Saturday, a monitor said, taking its Russian pilot captive. "Rebel factions shot down a Sukhoi 25. The Russian pilot came down in a parachute, before being captured," said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. He could not immediately confirm which faction had shot down the warplane but hardline opposition factions and the jihadist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) are active in the area.

Syria rebels down Russian plane, capture pilot: Reports

Turkish authorities have detained 311 people suspected of disseminating &quot;terror propaganda&quot; over Ankara&#39;s offensive against a<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-intensifies-syria-campaign-against-kurdish-militia-31015"> Kurdish militia in Syria</a>, the interior ministry said on Monday.

The suspects have been taken into custody since the operation against the Syrian Kurdish People&#39;s Protection Units (YPG) militia began on January 20.

Ankara views the YPG as a &quot;terrorist&quot; offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers&#39; Party (PKK), which has been waging a three-decade insurgency against the Turkish state.

The PKK is blacklisted as a terror organisation by Ankara and its Western allies.

The operation, supporting Syrian rebels with Turkish ground troops and air strikes, seeks to eliminate the YPG from its western enclave of Afrin in Syria close to the Turkish border.

Although the interior ministry did not give details, police raids have taken place across the country, from Izmir on the Aegean Sea to Igdir and Van in the east.

Rights groups have expressed renewed concerns over freedom of expression in Turkey. Human Rights Watch last week criticised Ankara&#39;s &quot;intolerance of criticism&quot;.

Among those taken into custody were journalists including writer and activist Nurcan Baysal but she was released on Wednesday.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for national unity over the offensive and has warned that those who responded to calls for protests would pay a &quot;heavy price&quot;.

Meanwhile, Erdogan&#39;s spokesman Ibrahim Kalin has urged the public and media to be careful of &quot;lying, fake, distortive and provocative news, images and gossip&quot;.

The authorities believe there is deliberate disinformation, especially on social media which includes the use of images that have been &quot;manipulated&quot; or taken from other conflicts but presented as from the current operation.

Local officials of Turkey&#39;s pro-Kurdish Peoples&#39; Democratic Party (HDP) have also been detained while the party has criticised the offensive calling it an &quot;invasion&quot;.

&quot;(The HDP) invites the international community to take immediate action to stop it,&quot; it said in a letter on Monday addressed to the United Nations and the European Union.

An HDP official told AFP that 209 of its members had been detained over allegations of &quot;terror propaganda&quot; and &quot;inciting people to hatred and hostility&quot; since the offensive was launched.

The Turkish government accuses the HDP of being a political front for the PKK but the party denies the claims.

The suspects have been taken into custody since the operation against the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia began on January 20

Turkish authorities have detained 311 people suspected of disseminating "terror propaganda" over Ankara's offensive against a Kurdish militia in Syria, the interior ministry said on Monday. The suspects have been taken into custody since the operation against the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia began on January 20. Ankara views the YPG as a "terrorist" offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been waging a three-decade insurgency against the Turkish state. The PKK is blacklisted as a terror organisation by Ankara and its Western allies. The operation, supporting Syrian rebels with Turkish ground troops and air strikes, seeks to eliminate the YPG from its western enclave of Afrin in Syria close to the Turkish border. Although the interior ministry did not give details, police raids have taken place across the country, from Izmir on the Aegean Sea to Igdir and Van in the east. Rights groups have expressed renewed concerns over freedom of expression in Turkey. Human Rights Watch last week criticised Ankara's "intolerance of criticism". Among those taken into custody were journalists including writer and activist Nurcan Baysal but she was released on Wednesday. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for national unity over the offensive and has warned that those who responded to calls for protests would pay a "heavy price". Meanwhile, Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin has urged the public and media to be careful of "lying, fake, distortive and provocative news, images and gossip". The authorities believe there is deliberate disinformation, especially on social media which includes the use of images that have been "manipulated" or taken from other conflicts but presented as from the current operation. Local officials of Turkey's pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) have also been detained while the party has criticised the offensive calling it an "invasion". "(The HDP) invites the international community to take immediate action to stop it," it said in a letter on Monday addressed to the United Nations and the European Union. An HDP official told AFP that 209 of its members had been detained over allegations of "terror propaganda" and "inciting people to hatred and hostility" since the offensive was launched. The Turkish government accuses the HDP of being a political front for the PKK but the party denies the claims.

Turkey detains over 300 for 'terror propaganda' against Syria operation

Rebels launched a counter attack against Syrian government forces and their allies in Idlib province on Thursday, seeking to roll back an advance that is fuelling tension with neigbouring Turkey.

Fighting raged in the area, where a government offensive backed by Iran-backed militia has gathered pace in the last two weeks, according to rebels and a military news service run by the Lebanese group Hezbollah, which is fighting on the government side.

Idlib province is the biggest chunk of Syria still held by rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad, with a population swollen by Syrians who have fled government advances in other parts of the country. Assad has defeated rebels in many parts of western Syria with critical help from Russia and Iran.

The recent military escalation in western Syria has included an unprecedented attack by a squadron of drones on Russian military bases and has cast a shadow over Moscow&#39;s efforts to convene a Syria peace congress later this month.

The Hezbollah-run news service said the army and its allies were repelling a &quot;fierce assault&quot; by the Nusra Front, formerly al Qaeda&#39;s affiliate in the Syrian war, and groups linked to it.

Rebels fighting under the banner of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) said in a statement they had set up a joint operations room to repel the offensive and to take back areas seized by the government in northeastern Hama and southern Idlib.

&quot;The operation is to hit the belly of the regime deep into liberated territories and to encircle their advancing forces,&quot; said Abdul Hakim al Rahamon, a senior official in Jaish al Nasr, an FSA faction taking part.

Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an alliance led by the Nusra Front, the dominant force in Idlib, said it had already made gains.

&quot;With Allah&#39;s) blessings we drew plans and prepared ourselves and are encircling them,&quot; said Abu al Naji, a commander from Tahrir al Sham. &quot;We have killed many.&quot;

Rebels said they had captured some 15 villages and seized 60 government fighters. A Syrian military source denied this and dismissed rebel talk of a counter attack as propaganda. The source said fierce battles were however underway in the area and army advances were continuing.

Rebel sources said warplanes had struck Khan Sheikhoun and Saraqeb, two major population centres in Idlib province that are among several towns that have been targeted in the latest offensive.

The latest push by the army and its allies has alarmed Turkey which has been deploying forces inside northern Idlib and setting up bases which it says are part of agreements with Iran and Russia over a descalation zone in Idlib.

The Turkish government said the Idlib offensive was endangering the effort to reach a resolution of the conflict and accused the Syrian government of using the pretext of fighting militants to wage a widescale attack.

Ankara is concerned that wider fighting in the province could bring tens of thousands of Syrians fleeing from the battlefields on its borders far beyond the numbers now fleeing.

Many Syrians living in rebel-held areas see Turkey&#39;s military intervention as a bulwark against a relentless bombing campaign by Syrian and Russian airforces they blame for killing and injuring hundreds of civilians in urban areas in recent months, away from the frontlines.

Rebels said they had captured some 15 villages and seized 60 government fighters

Rebels launched a counter attack against Syrian government forces and their allies in Idlib province on Thursday, seeking to roll back an advance that is fuelling tension with neigbouring Turkey. Fighting raged in the area, where a government offensive backed by Iran-backed militia has gathered pace in the last two weeks, according to rebels and a military news service run by the Lebanese group Hezbollah, which is fighting on the government side. Idlib province is the biggest chunk of Syria still held by rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad, with a population swollen by Syrians who have fled government advances in other parts of the country. Assad has defeated rebels in many parts of western Syria with critical help from Russia and Iran. The recent military escalation in western Syria has included an unprecedented attack by a squadron of drones on Russian military bases and has cast a shadow over Moscow's efforts to convene a Syria peace congress later this month. The Hezbollah-run news service said the army and its allies were repelling a "fierce assault" by the Nusra Front, formerly al Qaeda's affiliate in the Syrian war, and groups linked to it. Rebels fighting under the banner of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) said in a statement they had set up a joint operations room to repel the offensive and to take back areas seized by the government in northeastern Hama and southern Idlib. "The operation is to hit the belly of the regime deep into liberated territories and to encircle their advancing forces," said Abdul Hakim al Rahamon, a senior official in Jaish al Nasr, an FSA faction taking part. Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an alliance led by the Nusra Front, the dominant force in Idlib, said it had already made gains. "With Allah's) blessings we drew plans and prepared ourselves and are encircling them," said Abu al Naji, a commander from Tahrir al Sham. "We have killed many." Rebels said they had captured some 15 villages and seized 60 government fighters. A Syrian military source denied this and dismissed rebel talk of a counter attack as propaganda. The source said fierce battles were however underway in the area and army advances were continuing. Rebel sources said warplanes had struck Khan Sheikhoun and Saraqeb, two major population centres in Idlib province that are among several towns that have been targeted in the latest offensive. The latest push by the army and its allies has alarmed Turkey which has been deploying forces inside northern Idlib and setting up bases which it says are part of agreements with Iran and Russia over a descalation zone in Idlib. The Turkish government said the Idlib offensive was endangering the effort to reach a resolution of the conflict and accused the Syrian government of using the pretext of fighting militants to wage a widescale attack. Ankara is concerned that wider fighting in the province could bring tens of thousands of Syrians fleeing from the battlefields on its borders far beyond the numbers now fleeing. Many Syrians living in rebel-held areas see Turkey's military intervention as a bulwark against a relentless bombing campaign by Syrian and Russian airforces they blame for killing and injuring hundreds of civilians in urban areas in recent months, away from the frontlines.

Syrian rebels declare counter-attack in Idlib province

Russia&#39;s defence ministry said Saturday that its officials had signed a deal with moderate Syrian rebels at peace talks in Cairo on how a safe zone near Damascus will function.

&quot;As a result of talks held in Cairo between Russian defence ministry officials and moderate Syrian opposition brokered by the Egyptian side... agreements have been signed on how the Eastern Ghouta de-escalation zone will function,&quot; the defence ministry said in a statement sent to AFP.

The rebel stronghold of Eastern Ghouta is in one of four proposed &quot;de-escalation zones&quot; designated in an agreement reached by government allies Iran and Russia and rebel backer Turkey in May.

But the deal has yet to be fully implemented over disagreements on the monitoring mechanism for the safe zones.

The most recent talks in Kazakhstan this month between Russia, Turkey and Iran failed to iron out of the details of the four safe zones.

Russia said that the sides have now signed agreements under which &quot;the borders of the de-escalation zone are defined as well as the deployment locations and powers of the forces monitoring the de-escalation.&quot;

It said the sides had also agreed &quot;routes to supply humanitarian aid to the population and for free movement of residents.&quot;

Russia said it plans to send in the first humanitarian convoy and evacuate the wounded &quot;in the next few days.&quot;

The Eastern Ghouta region is a major rebel stronghold near the capital, and it has been the frequent target of government military operations.

More than 330,000 people have been killed in Syria since its conflict broke out in March 2011 with anti-government protests.

Russia's defence ministry says its officials have signed a deal with moderate Syrian rebels at peace talks in Cairo on how a safe zone near Damascus will function

Russia's defence ministry said Saturday that its officials had signed a deal with moderate Syrian rebels at peace talks in Cairo on how a safe zone near Damascus will function. "As a result of talks held in Cairo between Russian defence ministry officials and moderate Syrian opposition brokered by the Egyptian side... agreements have been signed on how the Eastern Ghouta de-escalation zone will function," the defence ministry said in a statement sent to AFP. The rebel stronghold of Eastern Ghouta is in one of four proposed "de-escalation zones" designated in an agreement reached by government allies Iran and Russia and rebel backer Turkey in May. But the deal has yet to be fully implemented over disagreements on the monitoring mechanism for the safe zones. The most recent talks in Kazakhstan this month between Russia, Turkey and Iran failed to iron out of the details of the four safe zones. Russia said that the sides have now signed agreements under which "the borders of the de-escalation zone are defined as well as the deployment locations and powers of the forces monitoring the de-escalation." It said the sides had also agreed "routes to supply humanitarian aid to the population and for free movement of residents." Russia said it plans to send in the first humanitarian convoy and evacuate the wounded "in the next few days." The Eastern Ghouta region is a major rebel stronghold near the capital, and it has been the frequent target of government military operations. More than 330,000 people have been killed in Syria since its conflict broke out in March 2011 with anti-government protests.

Russia says agrees to safe zone mechanism with Syrian rebels

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said that de-escalation zones proposed by his ally Russia were a chance for rebels to &quot;reconcile&quot; with Damascus and drive out Islamist militants, but vowed to fight on calling U.N.-led peace talks fruitless.

Assad pledged, in an interview with Belarusian TV Channel ONT aired on Thursday, to defend the zones and to crush, with the support of Iran and Hezbollah, those who try to breach them.

Efforts over the past year to halt the six-year&nbsp;Syrian war have fallen flat, and a ceasefire agreed to by the government side and rebels in December was violated early on.

Russia&#39;s proposal for zones took effect last week, covering areas in the west of the country and Damascus has suggested there could be a role for Russian military police.

Assad said the primary aim was to protect civilians.

&quot;The second goal is to give the militants who want reconciliation with the state a chance ... to settle their cases, hand over their weapons in return for amnesty,&quot; he said.

Damascus has said rebels should help drive jihadist groups out of the de-escalation zones, and sees so-called reconciliation agreements, which have involved the evacuation of rebels from besieged areas, as an alternative to peace talks.

Violence reduced somewhat after the de-escalation zones were announced last week, but heavy fighting persists in some areas.

Syria&#39;s opposition rejected the Russian plan, calling it a threat to the country&#39;s territorial integrity and refusing to recognise Iran as a guarantor of any ceasefire plan.

Assad said he was &quot;not tired&quot; and would continue to fight terrorists - the government&#39;s term for all insurgents.&nbsp;

He also said U.S. President Donald Trump had ordered strikes against a&nbsp;Syrian air base last month - a response to an alleged chemical attack against civilians - in order to &quot;present his credentials&quot; to U.S. political and lobby groups.

Trump said at the time that Assad&#39;s government had gone &quot;beyond a red line&quot; with a poison gas attack on civilians and said his attitude toward&nbsp;Syria&nbsp;and Assad had changed.

Syria&nbsp;denies carrying out the attack.

(Reuters)

Russia's proposal for zones took effect last week, covering areas in the west of the country and Damascus has suggested there could be a role for Russian military police.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said that de-escalation zones proposed by his ally Russia were a chance for rebels to "reconcile" with Damascus and drive out Islamist militants, but vowed to fight on calling U.N.-led peace talks fruitless. Assad pledged, in an interview with Belarusian TV Channel ONT aired on Thursday, to defend the zones and to crush, with the support of Iran and Hezbollah, those who try to breach them. Efforts over the past year to halt the six-year Syrian war have fallen flat, and a ceasefire agreed to by the government side and rebels in December was violated early on. Russia's proposal for zones took effect last week, covering areas in the west of the country and Damascus has suggested there could be a role for Russian military police. Assad said the primary aim was to protect civilians. "The second goal is to give the militants who want reconciliation with the state a chance ... to settle their cases, hand over their weapons in return for amnesty," he said. Damascus has said rebels should help drive jihadist groups out of the de-escalation zones, and sees so-called reconciliation agreements, which have involved the evacuation of rebels from besieged areas, as an alternative to peace talks. Violence reduced somewhat after the de-escalation zones were announced last week, but heavy fighting persists in some areas. Syria's opposition rejected the Russian plan, calling it a threat to the country's territorial integrity and refusing to recognise Iran as a guarantor of any ceasefire plan. Assad said he was "not tired" and would continue to fight terrorists - the government's term for all insurgents. He also said U.S. President Donald Trump had ordered strikes against a Syrian air base last month - a response to an alleged chemical attack against civilians - in order to "present his credentials" to U.S. political and lobby groups. Trump said at the time that Assad's government had gone "beyond a red line" with a poison gas attack on civilians and said his attitude toward Syria and Assad had changed. Syria denies carrying out the attack. (Reuters)

De-escalation zones chance for rebels to 'reconcile': Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

Syrian rebels and their families began evacuating from a district of Damascus for the first time on Monday, bringing the government closer to recapturing all of the capital.

The evacuation began days after regime backers Russia and Iran and rebel supporter Turkey signed a deal to implement &quot;de-escalation zones&quot; where the government and opposition will halt hostilities.

Foreign Minister Walid Muallem on Monday rejected any role for the United Nations or international forces in monitoring the zones.

The deal to evacuate Barzeh district mirrors similar agreements for opposition-held territory elsewhere, allowing fighters safe passage in exchange for surrender.

State television cited the Damascus provincial governor as saying a first wave of 1,022 people, including 568 fighters, had left Barzeh on Monday.

The channel said the evacuation would take five days, but that rebels who chose to stay could do so if they registered with the government.

Those leaving will head to the rebel-held province of Idlib, in Syria&#39;s northwest.

The evacuation deal was struck late Sunday night, and dozens of people gathered in Barzeh from Monday morning.

An AFP photographer saw rebel fighters carrying light weapons looking on as children and women in brightly-coloured headscarves pulled shabby suitcases and duffel bags.

A source from the pro-government National Defence Forces said rebel fighters would be allowed to take their &quot;personal weapons&quot; with them.

Negotiations were ongoing for a similar deal in the district of Qabun, in Damascus&#39;s northeast, which forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have been shelling heavily for weeks.

&#39;De-escalation&#39; zones

&quot;We are working on Qabun and there is the Yarmuk camp, where talks are underway for the evacuation of armed groups,&quot; said Muallem.

Assad&#39;s government controls all but six districts of Damascus: Barzeh, Qabun, Jobar, Tishreen, Tadamun, and Yarmuk camp.

The evacuation is a first in the capital, but the Barzeh agreement follows a model of &quot;reconciliation deals&quot; implemented across the country.

The government touts such deals as the best way to end the six-year conflict, which erupted in March 2011 with anti-regime protests and has killed more than 320,000 people.

But the opposition says it is forced into them by heavy government bombardment and siege tactics.

Monday&#39;s evacuation began as battlefronts quietened in Syrian territory included in four &quot;de-escalation zones&quot; agreed by Russia, Iran and Turkey.

The agreement, inked in the Kazakh capital Astana, excludes Damascus city.

It mandates an end to hostilities, including air strikes, in specified zones for six months.

The deal came into effect on midnight Friday, with fighting subsiding, but the co-sponsors have until June 4 to submit maps finalising the borders of the zones.

It calls for continued fighting against the Islamic State group, which is largely absent from the areas where the zones will be implemented, as well as former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front.

Fateh al-Sham has a powerful presence particularly in Idlib province, which is included in the zones, where it is allied with other opposition groups.

Russian draft resolution

The deal says the &quot;de-escalation zones&quot; would be bordered by security areas with checkpoints and observation centres &quot;ensured by the forces of the guarantors by consensus&quot;, but that &quot;third-party&quot; monitors could also be deployed.

But on Monday, Muallem rejected UN or international monitors.

&quot;We do not accept a role for the United Nations or international forces to monitor the agreement,&quot; he said.

He added there could be a role &quot;as the Russian guarantor has said, for military police&quot;, but it was unclear if he was referring to Syrian or foreign units.

Russia meanwhile said it had tabled a draft UN Security Council resolution backing the safe zone deal.

A source at the UN told Russia&#39;s Interfax news agency that &quot;a vote on the draft will take place possibly this week&quot;.

Western diplomats expressed reservations, saying it was premature to endorse the Astana deal until final arrangements for the proposed &quot;de-escalation zones&quot; were agreed.

The agreement has been received with caution by Washington, with US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis saying it was being studied.

&quot;Does this proposal have a hope for ending this war? We&#39;ll have to look at it. The devil is always in the details, so we are going to have to look at the details,&quot; he said.

Russia has said warplanes belonging to the US-led coalition fighting IS will be barred from operating in the four &quot;de-escalation zones&quot;.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov are set to discuss the agreement when they meet on Wednesday in Washington.

(AFP)

A first wave of 1,022 people, including 568 fighters, reportedly left Damascus' Barzeh on Monday.

Syrian rebels and their families began evacuating from a district of Damascus for the first time on Monday, bringing the government closer to recapturing all of the capital. The evacuation began days after regime backers Russia and Iran and rebel supporter Turkey signed a deal to implement "de-escalation zones" where the government and opposition will halt hostilities. Foreign Minister Walid Muallem on Monday rejected any role for the United Nations or international forces in monitoring the zones. The deal to evacuate Barzeh district mirrors similar agreements for opposition-held territory elsewhere, allowing fighters safe passage in exchange for surrender. State television cited the Damascus provincial governor as saying a first wave of 1,022 people, including 568 fighters, had left Barzeh on Monday. The channel said the evacuation would take five days, but that rebels who chose to stay could do so if they registered with the government. Those leaving will head to the rebel-held province of Idlib, in Syria's northwest. The evacuation deal was struck late Sunday night, and dozens of people gathered in Barzeh from Monday morning. An AFP photographer saw rebel fighters carrying light weapons looking on as children and women in brightly-coloured headscarves pulled shabby suitcases and duffel bags. A source from the pro-government National Defence Forces said rebel fighters would be allowed to take their "personal weapons" with them. Negotiations were ongoing for a similar deal in the district of Qabun, in Damascus's northeast, which forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have been shelling heavily for weeks. 'De-escalation' zones "We are working on Qabun and there is the Yarmuk camp, where talks are underway for the evacuation of armed groups," said Muallem. Assad's government controls all but six districts of Damascus: Barzeh, Qabun, Jobar, Tishreen, Tadamun, and Yarmuk camp. The evacuation is a first in the capital, but the Barzeh agreement follows a model of "reconciliation deals" implemented across the country. The government touts such deals as the best way to end the six-year conflict, which erupted in March 2011 with anti-regime protests and has killed more than 320,000 people. But the opposition says it is forced into them by heavy government bombardment and siege tactics. Monday's evacuation began as battlefronts quietened in Syrian territory included in four "de-escalation zones" agreed by Russia, Iran and Turkey. The agreement, inked in the Kazakh capital Astana, excludes Damascus city. It mandates an end to hostilities, including air strikes, in specified zones for six months. The deal came into effect on midnight Friday, with fighting subsiding, but the co-sponsors have until June 4 to submit maps finalising the borders of the zones. It calls for continued fighting against the Islamic State group, which is largely absent from the areas where the zones will be implemented, as well as former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front. Fateh al-Sham has a powerful presence particularly in Idlib province, which is included in the zones, where it is allied with other opposition groups. Russian draft resolution The deal says the "de-escalation zones" would be bordered by security areas with checkpoints and observation centres "ensured by the forces of the guarantors by consensus", but that "third-party" monitors could also be deployed. But on Monday, Muallem rejected UN or international monitors. "We do not accept a role for the United Nations or international forces to monitor the agreement," he said. He added there could be a role "as the Russian guarantor has said, for military police", but it was unclear if he was referring to Syrian or foreign units. Russia meanwhile said it had tabled a draft UN Security Council resolution backing the safe zone deal. A source at the UN told Russia's Interfax news agency that "a vote on the draft will take place possibly this week". Western diplomats expressed reservations, saying it was premature to endorse the Astana deal until final arrangements for the proposed "de-escalation zones" were agreed. The agreement has been received with caution by Washington, with US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis saying it was being studied. "Does this proposal have a hope for ending this war? We'll have to look at it. The devil is always in the details, so we are going to have to look at the details," he said. Russia has said warplanes belonging to the US-led coalition fighting IS will be barred from operating in the four "de-escalation zones". US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov are set to discuss the agreement when they meet on Wednesday in Washington. (AFP)

Syria: First evacuations from Damascus rebel district

Syria&#39;s army and key ally Russia on Thursday announced a nationwide ceasefire to take effect at midnight, in a potential major breakthrough after nearly six years of civil war.

The deal was brokered by Russia and Turkey, which back opposing sides in the conflict, but does not involve Washington, which has negotiated previous ceasefires with Moscow.

The agreement, hailed by Syria&#39;s government as a &quot;real opportunity&quot; to find a political solution to the war, comes a week after the regime recaptured second city Aleppo in a major blow to rebel forces.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who announced the deal, said Damascus and the &quot;main forces of the armed opposition&quot; had inked a truce and a document expressing a readiness to start peace talks.

&quot;Several hours ago, the event occurred that we have not only been waiting for but been working so much to hasten,&quot; Putin said in a meeting with his defence and foreign ministers.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the agreement as a &quot;historic opportunity&quot; to end the Syrian conflict, which has killed more than 310,000 people and forced millions from their homes.

Syria&#39;s army said it would halt all military operations from midnight (2200 GMT on Thursday) and a leading opposition body, the National Coalition, voiced its support for the truce.

Putin said he would also reduce Moscow&#39;s military contingent in Syria that has been flying a bombing campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad since last year.

The Kremlin strongman, however, said Russia would continue to fight &quot;terrorism&quot; in Syria and maintain its support for the regime.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said seven opposition groups, including the powerful Ahrar al-Sham, had signed the deal and those who failed to adhere would be considered &quot;terrorists&quot;.

Erdogan indicated Turkey would press on with its four-month incursion into Syria against Islamic State group (IS) jihadists and Kurdish militia.

Astana peace talks

Syria&#39;s army said the deal did not include IS and the former Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front, now rebranded the Fateh al-Sham Front.

That could cause complications in areas like Idlib in northwestern Syria, where Fateh al-Sham is allied with rebel groups that have signed on to the deal.

Syria&#39;s political opposition and rebels confirmed their backing for the truce, saying it applied to all parts of the country.

&quot;The agreement is for all of Syria and contains no exceptions or preconditions,&quot; said Osama Abou Zeid, a legal adviser to rebel groups fighting under the Free Syrian Army banner.

The agreement comes after Turkey and Russia brokered a deal to allow the evacuation of tens of thousands of civilians and rebel fighters from Aleppo.

Moscow and Ankara are now pushing for peace talks between Damascus and the rebels to start soon in Kazakhstan&#39;s capital Astana.

&quot;Now we need to do everything for these agreements to come into force, for them to work, so that the negotiating teams that have been or are being formed promptly and as soon as possible arrive in Astana,&quot; Putin said.

UN peace envoy Staffan de Mistura said he hoped the agreement would &quot;pave the way for productive talks&quot; in Kazakhstan, but also reiterated he wants negotiations mediated by his office to continue early next year.

22 killed in rebel areas

Russia and Turkey have both said the peace talks they will supervise are meant to supplement UN-backed peace efforts, rather than replace them entirely.&nbsp;

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia, Turkey and Iran were arranging for the talks and pressing for other key international players to get involved.

Lavrov said Moscow would invite Egypt and try to attract other regional powers such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq and Jordan.

He added Moscow would seek to involve US President-elect Donald Trump&#39;s administration once he takes office in less than a month, but the process does not appear to involve outgoing President Barack Obama&#39;s administration.

The US State Department called the ceasefire deal a &quot;positive development&quot; and said it hoped it would lead to fresh negotiations on Syria&#39;s political future.

Abou Zeid confirmed the truce deal was intended to pave the way for new talks in Astana, with the High Negotiations Committee that has represented the opposition at previous negotiations expected to participate.

Turkey has long backed Syria&#39;s opposition, and its relations with Russia soured last year after Ankara shot down a Russian warplane.

But the two countries have worked closely of late on Syria, and Turkey was conspicuously quiet as Assad&#39;s forces retook Aleppo.

In the hours before the ceasefire was to take effect, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group, reported at least 22 civilians, including 10 children, were killed in air strikes and artillery fire on rebel-held territory near Damascus.

(AFP)

The deal brokered by Russia and Turkey, which back opposing sides in the conflict, takes effect at midnight

Syria's army and key ally Russia on Thursday announced a nationwide ceasefire to take effect at midnight, in a potential major breakthrough after nearly six years of civil war. The deal was brokered by Russia and Turkey, which back opposing sides in the conflict, but does not involve Washington, which has negotiated previous ceasefires with Moscow. The agreement, hailed by Syria's government as a "real opportunity" to find a political solution to the war, comes a week after the regime recaptured second city Aleppo in a major blow to rebel forces. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who announced the deal, said Damascus and the "main forces of the armed opposition" had inked a truce and a document expressing a readiness to start peace talks. "Several hours ago, the event occurred that we have not only been waiting for but been working so much to hasten," Putin said in a meeting with his defence and foreign ministers. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the agreement as a "historic opportunity" to end the Syrian conflict, which has killed more than 310,000 people and forced millions from their homes. Syria's army said it would halt all military operations from midnight (2200 GMT on Thursday) and a leading opposition body, the National Coalition, voiced its support for the truce. Putin said he would also reduce Moscow's military contingent in Syria that has been flying a bombing campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad since last year. The Kremlin strongman, however, said Russia would continue to fight "terrorism" in Syria and maintain its support for the regime. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said seven opposition groups, including the powerful Ahrar al-Sham, had signed the deal and those who failed to adhere would be considered "terrorists". Erdogan indicated Turkey would press on with its four-month incursion into Syria against Islamic State group (IS) jihadists and Kurdish militia. Astana peace talks Syria's army said the deal did not include IS and the former Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front, now rebranded the Fateh al-Sham Front. That could cause complications in areas like Idlib in northwestern Syria, where Fateh al-Sham is allied with rebel groups that have signed on to the deal. Syria's political opposition and rebels confirmed their backing for the truce, saying it applied to all parts of the country. "The agreement is for all of Syria and contains no exceptions or preconditions," said Osama Abou Zeid, a legal adviser to rebel groups fighting under the Free Syrian Army banner. The agreement comes after Turkey and Russia brokered a deal to allow the evacuation of tens of thousands of civilians and rebel fighters from Aleppo. Moscow and Ankara are now pushing for peace talks between Damascus and the rebels to start soon in Kazakhstan's capital Astana. "Now we need to do everything for these agreements to come into force, for them to work, so that the negotiating teams that have been or are being formed promptly and as soon as possible arrive in Astana," Putin said. UN peace envoy Staffan de Mistura said he hoped the agreement would "pave the way for productive talks" in Kazakhstan, but also reiterated he wants negotiations mediated by his office to continue early next year. 22 killed in rebel areas Russia and Turkey have both said the peace talks they will supervise are meant to supplement UN-backed peace efforts, rather than replace them entirely. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia, Turkey and Iran were arranging for the talks and pressing for other key international players to get involved. Lavrov said Moscow would invite Egypt and try to attract other regional powers such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq and Jordan. He added Moscow would seek to involve US President-elect Donald Trump's administration once he takes office in less than a month, but the process does not appear to involve outgoing President Barack Obama's administration. The US State Department called the ceasefire deal a "positive development" and said it hoped it would lead to fresh negotiations on Syria's political future. Abou Zeid confirmed the truce deal was intended to pave the way for new talks in Astana, with the High Negotiations Committee that has represented the opposition at previous negotiations expected to participate. Turkey has long backed Syria's opposition, and its relations with Russia soured last year after Ankara shot down a Russian warplane. But the two countries have worked closely of late on Syria, and Turkey was conspicuously quiet as Assad's forces retook Aleppo. In the hours before the ceasefire was to take effect, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group, reported at least 22 civilians, including 10 children, were killed in air strikes and artillery fire on rebel-held territory near Damascus. (AFP)

Syria regime, rebels agree nationwide ceasefire

Christians in Aleppo celebrated under a giant Christmas tree lit up for the first time in five years, hailing what many described as the return of peace to a city that came back under full government control last week.

The fall of rebel-held east Aleppo was the biggest victory of Syria&#39;s nearly six-year-old civil war for supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and many in pro-government parts of the city have been jubilant.

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<h5>The festive atmosphere is great. It&#39;s a new birth for Jesus Christ and a new birth for the city of Aleppo&#39;</h5>
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However, the rebel defeat has also brought severe hardship on civilians who fled from insurgent-held areas, thousands of whom have been forced to camp in wilderness under the snow. Aid groups say many are in peril and children have died from exposure to severe winter weather.

In the war-ravaged St&nbsp;Elias Cathedral located on what was long the frontline in Aleppo&#39;s historic Old City, priests prayed for peace at the first Christmas Eve Mass for five years, attended by dozens of worshippers, including some Russian officers.

&quot;The festive atmosphere is great. It&#39;s a new birth for Jesus Christ and a new birth for the city of Aleppo,&quot; said George Bakhash, a Christian community leader.

He said the numbers attending mass across the city had surged, now that worshippers no longer feared missiles from rebel-held areas.

Many Syrian Christians supported the government in the civil war, viewing Assad, a member of a Shi&#39;ite-derived minority sect, as a protector against rebel fighters mainly drawn from Syria&#39;s Sunni Muslim majority.

In the comparatively undamaged parts of the city that had long been held by the government, restaurants were thronged by Christians late into the night.

Hundreds of people danced and celebrated in the Azizya neighbourhood, where the public Christmas tree had gone unlit since rebels took the eastern half of the city in 2012. Giant posters depicted Assad and his Christian ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In live footage shown on state television, a woman identified as the mother of slain Syrian soldier carried her son&#39;s picture alongside an image of the Virgin Mary.

&quot;I am sure his soul is in peace now because Aleppo has been liberated,&quot; she said.

Although some Christians stayed on the sidelines of the civil war, many saw the rise of Islamic State and other Sunni Muslim insurgent groups as a threat to the very existence of their communities, some as old as the bible. The Christian population of Aleppo has shrunk since the start of the conflict to around 50,000 from 250,000 according to Bakhash.

Fighting in rural areas

Outside the city, rebels still hold at least 40 per cent of Aleppo province, and rebels have still fired sporadic shells from the fringes of the city to the south.

Russian jets resumed heavy strikes on rebel-held rural areas of Aleppo province after a pause during a ceasefire to complete the evacuation of rebels from the city.

A bombing raid in the rebel-held town of Atareb in western Aleppo countryside killed at least seven refugees who had fled from the city under the evacuation deal, a local resident said.

Some people who fled east Aleppo earlier in the war have begun returning to inspect homes in neighbourhoods reduced to rubble by years of aerial bombing, which intensified last year when Russia joined the war.

The army and pro-government militias are still combing parts of east Aleppo. Rebels accuse the pro-government forces of carrying out summary executions of scores of youths who stayed behind, and say looting has been rampant. The government denies its forces have executed prisoners or looted homes.

Thousands of people who were bussed out of Aleppo&#39;s rebel-held eastern districts as they fell to government forces have ended up in makeshift camps exposed to severe winter weather.

Many left everything behind as they fled under the evacuation deal, under which only mostly elderly people stayed.

&quot;We brought a few belongings just to wear.. We lost everything,&quot; Omar Sarout, 55, told Reuters by internet message from a makeshift camp for more than 700 people, mostly women and children, run by Turkish and Gulf charities.

Yousef Hanbali, a carpenter who fled Aleppo for a makeshift camp in Idlib province, said his family hoped to reach Turkey to find work. &quot;We need money. We left without anything,&quot; he said.

(Reuters)

Christmas eve mass was held in the war-ravaged St Elias Cathedral, in Aleppo's historic Old City, for the first time in 5 years

Christians in Aleppo celebrated under a giant Christmas tree lit up for the first time in five years, hailing what many described as the return of peace to a city that came back under full government control last week. The fall of rebel-held east Aleppo was the biggest victory of Syria's nearly six-year-old civil war for supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and many in pro-government parts of the city have been jubilant. The festive atmosphere is great. It's a new birth for Jesus Christ and a new birth for the city of Aleppo' × However, the rebel defeat has also brought severe hardship on civilians who fled from insurgent-held areas, thousands of whom have been forced to camp in wilderness under the snow. Aid groups say many are in peril and children have died from exposure to severe winter weather. In the war-ravaged St Elias Cathedral located on what was long the frontline in Aleppo's historic Old City, priests prayed for peace at the first Christmas Eve Mass for five years, attended by dozens of worshippers, including some Russian officers. "The festive atmosphere is great. It's a new birth for Jesus Christ and a new birth for the city of Aleppo," said George Bakhash, a Christian community leader. He said the numbers attending mass across the city had surged, now that worshippers no longer feared missiles from rebel-held areas. Many Syrian Christians supported the government in the civil war, viewing Assad, a member of a Shi'ite-derived minority sect, as a protector against rebel fighters mainly drawn from Syria's Sunni Muslim majority. In the comparatively undamaged parts of the city that had long been held by the government, restaurants were thronged by Christians late into the night. Hundreds of people danced and celebrated in the Azizya neighbourhood, where the public Christmas tree had gone unlit since rebels took the eastern half of the city in 2012. Giant posters depicted Assad and his Christian ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin. In live footage shown on state television, a woman identified as the mother of slain Syrian soldier carried her son's picture alongside an image of the Virgin Mary. "I am sure his soul is in peace now because Aleppo has been liberated," she said. Although some Christians stayed on the sidelines of the civil war, many saw the rise of Islamic State and other Sunni Muslim insurgent groups as a threat to the very existence of their communities, some as old as the bible. The Christian population of Aleppo has shrunk since the start of the conflict to around 50,000 from 250,000 according to Bakhash. Fighting in rural areas Outside the city, rebels still hold at least 40 per cent of Aleppo province, and rebels have still fired sporadic shells from the fringes of the city to the south. Russian jets resumed heavy strikes on rebel-held rural areas of Aleppo province after a pause during a ceasefire to complete the evacuation of rebels from the city. A bombing raid in the rebel-held town of Atareb in western Aleppo countryside killed at least seven refugees who had fled from the city under the evacuation deal, a local resident said. Some people who fled east Aleppo earlier in the war have begun returning to inspect homes in neighbourhoods reduced to rubble by years of aerial bombing, which intensified last year when Russia joined the war. The army and pro-government militias are still combing parts of east Aleppo. Rebels accuse the pro-government forces of carrying out summary executions of scores of youths who stayed behind, and say looting has been rampant. The government denies its forces have executed prisoners or looted homes. Thousands of people who were bussed out of Aleppo's rebel-held eastern districts as they fell to government forces have ended up in makeshift camps exposed to severe winter weather. Many left everything behind as they fled under the evacuation deal, under which only mostly elderly people stayed. "We brought a few belongings just to wear.. We lost everything," Omar Sarout, 55, told Reuters by internet message from a makeshift camp for more than 700 people, mostly women and children, run by Turkish and Gulf charities. Yousef Hanbali, a carpenter who fled Aleppo for a makeshift camp in Idlib province, said his family hoped to reach Turkey to find work. "We need money. We left without anything," he said. (Reuters)

Aleppo: After 5 years of war, a Christmas celebration

Syrian rebels shelled Aleppo and air strikes resumed around the city on Friday as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his allies said the insurgents&#39; withdrawal from the city could pave the way towards a political solution for the country.

A day after the last rebels left their remaining pocket of territory in the city, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights - a war monitor based in Britain - said about 10 shells fell in its southwestern al-Hamdaniya district.

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<h5>The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights - a war monitor based in Britain - said about 10 shells fell in east Aleppo&#39;s al-Hamdaniya district</h5>
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The Observatory said six people, including two children, were killed. State television said at least three people died.

Insurgents seeking to oust Assad have shelled government-controlled areas of Aleppo throughout the conflict, which began in 2011. The destruction in those parts of the city has been far less than in eastern districts rebels held until this month.

Air strikes resumed in rebel-held areas of the countryside near Aleppo on Friday for the first time since the end of the evacuation operation.

Strikes hit to the west, south-west and south of the city, areas which had not been hit for at least a week. The Britain-based Observatory had no information on casualties yet.

After months of bombardment and a final few weeks of intense air strikes and Syrian army advances on the besieged, rebel-held part of Aleppo, a local ceasefire was reached on Dec. 15 which allowed thousand of civilians and then fighters to leave.

The last left the city late on Thursday for countryside immediately to the west. The International Committee of the Red Cross said about 35,000 people, mostly civilians, had departed.

Many of those who left are living as refugees in the areas to the west and south of Aleppo, including in Idlib province where bulldozers were used to clear heavy snowfall on Friday morning, the opposition Orient television showed.

On Friday, the army and its allies, including Lebanese group Hezbollah, searched districts abandoned by the rebels, to clear them of mines and other dangers, the Observatory reported.

State television showed empty streets lined with apartment blocks smashed by air strikes in the al-Ansari district.

Damascus water cut

In the capital Damascus, the water authority has been forced to cut supplies coming into the Syrian capital for a few days and use reserves instead after rebels polluted the water with diesel, it said on Friday.

The al-Fija spring which supplies Damascus with water is in the rebel-held Wadi Barada valley north-west of the capital in a mountainous area near the Lebanese border.

The government controls much of the surrounding territory and on Friday carried out aerial attacks and shelled the rebel-held area, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

A military news outlet run by Hezbollah said the rebels in the valley had refused to leave the area and the Syrian Arab Army began an offensive against them on Friday morning.

Through a series of so-called settlement agreements and army offensives, the Syrian government, backed by Russian air power and Iran-backed militias, has been steadily suppressing armed opposition around the capital.

Peace talks?

During the long struggle to re-take Aleppo, Assad&#39;s forces were supported by heavy Russian air strikes, Iran-backed militias and fighters from Iran-backed Shi&#39;ite Hezbollah.

On Friday, Assad thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for having been Syria&#39;s main partner in the battle&nbsp;and said the city&#39;s fall had opened the door to a political process.

Putin said Russia, Iran, Turkey and Assad had agreed the Kazakh capital of Astana should be the venue for new peace negotiations, and Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said the defeat of the rebels in the city could pave the way to a political solution.

Turkey backs rebels fighting Assad and Islamic State.

United Nations-backed peace talks in Geneva broke down earlier this year as violence escalated, particularly around Aleppo.

(Reuters)

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said six people, including two children, were killed

Syrian rebels shelled Aleppo and air strikes resumed around the city on Friday as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his allies said the insurgents' withdrawal from the city could pave the way towards a political solution for the country. A day after the last rebels left their remaining pocket of territory in the city, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights - a war monitor based in Britain - said about 10 shells fell in its southwestern al-Hamdaniya district. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights - a war monitor based in Britain - said about 10 shells fell in east Aleppo's al-Hamdaniya district × The Observatory said six people, including two children, were killed. State television said at least three people died. Insurgents seeking to oust Assad have shelled government-controlled areas of Aleppo throughout the conflict, which began in 2011. The destruction in those parts of the city has been far less than in eastern districts rebels held until this month. Air strikes resumed in rebel-held areas of the countryside near Aleppo on Friday for the first time since the end of the evacuation operation. Strikes hit to the west, south-west and south of the city, areas which had not been hit for at least a week. The Britain-based Observatory had no information on casualties yet. After months of bombardment and a final few weeks of intense air strikes and Syrian army advances on the besieged, rebel-held part of Aleppo, a local ceasefire was reached on Dec. 15 which allowed thousand of civilians and then fighters to leave. The last left the city late on Thursday for countryside immediately to the west. The International Committee of the Red Cross said about 35,000 people, mostly civilians, had departed. Many of those who left are living as refugees in the areas to the west and south of Aleppo, including in Idlib province where bulldozers were used to clear heavy snowfall on Friday morning, the opposition Orient television showed. On Friday, the army and its allies, including Lebanese group Hezbollah, searched districts abandoned by the rebels, to clear them of mines and other dangers, the Observatory reported. State television showed empty streets lined with apartment blocks smashed by air strikes in the al-Ansari district. Damascus water cut In the capital Damascus, the water authority has been forced to cut supplies coming into the Syrian capital for a few days and use reserves instead after rebels polluted the water with diesel, it said on Friday. The al-Fija spring which supplies Damascus with water is in the rebel-held Wadi Barada valley north-west of the capital in a mountainous area near the Lebanese border. The government controls much of the surrounding territory and on Friday carried out aerial attacks and shelled the rebel-held area, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. A military news outlet run by Hezbollah said the rebels in the valley had refused to leave the area and the Syrian Arab Army began an offensive against them on Friday morning. Through a series of so-called settlement agreements and army offensives, the Syrian government, backed by Russian air power and Iran-backed militias, has been steadily suppressing armed opposition around the capital. Peace talks? During the long struggle to re-take Aleppo, Assad's forces were supported by heavy Russian air strikes, Iran-backed militias and fighters from Iran-backed Shi'ite Hezbollah. On Friday, Assad thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for having been Syria's main partner in the battle and said the city's fall had opened the door to a political process. Putin said Russia, Iran, Turkey and Assad had agreed the Kazakh capital of Astana should be the venue for new peace negotiations, and Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said the defeat of the rebels in the city could pave the way to a political solution. Turkey backs rebels fighting Assad and Islamic State. United Nations-backed peace talks in Geneva broke down earlier this year as violence escalated, particularly around Aleppo. (Reuters)

Syria rebels shell Aleppo, air strikes resume

Some 350 people were able to leave despite evacuations officially suspended until further notice, a medical official said.

Ahmad al-Dbis, who heads a team of doctors coordinating evacuations to Khan al-Assal told AFP, &quot;Five buses carrying the evacuees arrived from besieged parts of east Aleppo.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;They were in a terrible state, Dbis told AFP.

&quot;They hadn&#39;t eaten, they had nothing to drink, the children had caught colds, they were not even able to go to the toilet,&quot; he added.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that 350 people were able to be evacuated after Russia and Turkey urged the Syrian regime to allow the buses to pass its final control point.

From Khan al-Assal people will be able to travel to Idlib and other parts of Aleppo.

The evacuation process had been postponed after buses were attacked and torched by armed men.

The buses were meant for&nbsp;two Shiite villages, Fuaa and Kafraya. &nbsp;

There was a dispute over how many people would be evacuated from the two villages.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said security guarantee was needed before evacuation process resumed, after one bus driver was killed in the attack.

The Rights monitor also said the buses will not leave until the people of Fuaa and Kafraya were&nbsp;able to leave.

Before the suspension, buses had arrived in Aleppo under&nbsp;Red Crescent and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) &nbsp;&quot;to bring the remaining terrorists and their families out,&quot; state news agency SANA said, referring to the rebels.

Some&nbsp;100 buses would take people out, SANA had reported.&nbsp;

Under the terms of deal signed between the Syrian government and the rebels, the rebels and their families along with civilians will be allowed to leave for government-held areas.&nbsp;

Evacuations will also take place&nbsp;from Zabadani and Madaya, two regime-besieged rebel towns in Damascus province, as part of the deal, a rebel representative had confirmed.

Before evacuation operations were halted around 8,500 people, including some 3,000 rebels, left for rebel-held territory elsewhere in the north, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

 
&nbsp;

The evacuations have been stopped until further notice after gunmen torched buses sent for people from two Shitte villages, Fuaa and Kafraya

Some 350 people were able to leave despite evacuations officially suspended until further notice, a medical official said. Ahmad al-Dbis, who heads a team of doctors coordinating evacuations to Khan al-Assal told AFP, "Five buses carrying the evacuees arrived from besieged parts of east Aleppo." "They were in a terrible state, Dbis told AFP. "They hadn't eaten, they had nothing to drink, the children had caught colds, they were not even able to go to the toilet," he added. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that 350 people were able to be evacuated after Russia and Turkey urged the Syrian regime to allow the buses to pass its final control point. From Khan al-Assal people will be able to travel to Idlib and other parts of Aleppo. The evacuation process had been postponed after buses were attacked and torched by armed men. The buses were meant for two Shiite villages, Fuaa and Kafraya. There was a dispute over how many people would be evacuated from the two villages. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said security guarantee was needed before evacuation process resumed, after one bus driver was killed in the attack. The Rights monitor also said the buses will not leave until the people of Fuaa and Kafraya were able to leave. Before the suspension, buses had arrived in Aleppo under Red Crescent and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) "to bring the remaining terrorists and their families out," state news agency SANA said, referring to the rebels. Some 100 buses would take people out, SANA had reported. Under the terms of deal signed between the Syrian government and the rebels, the rebels and their families along with civilians will be allowed to leave for government-held areas. Evacuations will also take place from Zabadani and Madaya, two regime-besieged rebel towns in Damascus province, as part of the deal, a rebel representative had confirmed. Before evacuation operations were halted around 8,500 people, including some 3,000 rebels, left for rebel-held territory elsewhere in the north, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Aleppo: 350 people manage to leave despite postponed evacuations

Civilians and rebel fighters were to start evacuating from Syria&#39;s Aleppo Wednesday under a deal that would end years of opposition resistance in the city.

The evacuations which were expected to begin at 0300 GMT, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor, had yet to commence more than half an hour after the time had passed, an AFP correspondent in the city said.

About 20 green government buses were gathered at the edges of the divided Salaheddin district. Some entered briefly Tuesday night but returned empty and parked on the outskirts again, the journalist said.

Rebel officials, Russia and Turkey confirmed the agreement which, if implemented, would mark a major victory for President Bashar al-Assad over opposition forces who rose up against him in 2011.

The agreement came amid mounting global outrage over reports of atrocities, including dozens of summary executions, as forces loyal to Assad closed in on the last pocket of rebel territory in Aleppo.

Officials from several rebel groups told AFP there was a deal to allow civilians and fighters to leave Aleppo for opposition-held territory to the west of the city.

&quot;An agreement has been reached,&quot; said Yasser al-Youssef from the political office of the key Nureddin al-Zinki rebel group, adding it had been &quot;sponsored&quot; by Russia and Turkey.

&quot;The first stage will be the evacuation of civilians and wounded, within hours, and afterwards fighters will leave with their light weapons.&quot;

&nbsp;US calls for observers&nbsp; 
Washington said it had not been consulted but would welcome any arrangement that brought safety to the people of Aleppo.

&quot;It matters a lot less to us who or how a ceasefire is arranged or reached, and much more that one is arranged and reached,&quot; state department spokesman John Kirby said.

&quot;Even if it is the end of the siege in Aleppo, it is not the end of the war in Syria.&quot;

As the UN Security Council met in an emergency session to discuss Aleppo, Russian envoy Vitaly Churkin confirmed there was an agreement for the rebels to leave the city.

US ambassador to the UN Samantha Power said Washington wanted international observers to oversee the evacuation, raising concern for &quot;people who wish to leave but who, justifiably, fear that if they try they will be shot in the street or carted off to one of Assad&#39;s gulags.&quot;

Turkey&#39;s foreign ministry said under the agreement civilians would first evacuate, followed by a withdrawal of rebel groups.

Deputy prime minister Mehmet Simsek&nbsp;said on Twitter that Turkey would &quot;set up a tent city to accommodate up to 80,000 Syrian refugees fleeing Aleppo&quot;.

An AFP correspondent in west Aleppo said there had been no sounds of fighting or bombardment since around 3:00 pm (1300 GMT) Tuesday and the Observatory also said it was quiet.

The United Nations and aid agencies had been pleading for an agreement to allow for the evacuation of thousands of civilians trapped in rebel territory.

After weeks of heavy fighting, forces loyal to Assad were on the verge of taking all of the city, dealing the biggest blow to Syria&#39;s rebellion in more than five years of civil war.

&nbsp;Scenes of carnage&nbsp; 
The United Nations said it had received credible reports of at least 82 civilians, including 11 women and 13 children, being executed by pro-government forces in Aleppo in recent days.

In Geneva, UN rights office spokesman Rupert Colville said pro-government fighters had in some cases entered homes and killed those inside, and in others &quot;caught and killed on the spot&quot; fleeing civilians.

The UN was &quot;filled with the deepest foreboding for those who remain in this last hellish corner of opposition-held eastern Aleppo,&quot; he said.

Witnesses in Aleppo described scenes of carnage in rebel areas, with bodies lying amid the rubble of city streets, as desperate residents sat on pavements with nowhere to shelter.

Syria&#39;s army has taken more than 90 per cent of the territory once held by rebels in east Aleppo, after launching an all-out offensive last month to seize control of the entire city.

Aleppo, a cultural and economic hub in northern Syria second only to Damascus in importance, had been split between a rebel-controlled east and government-held west since 2012.

&nbsp;&#39;Last chance&#39;&nbsp; 
It was unclear how many civilians remained in rebel territory, after an estimated 130,000 fled to other parts of Aleppo during the government advance.

Jan Egeland, head of the UN-backed humanitarian taskforce for Syria, told AFP that thousands of civilians were in need of evacuation and safe passage, including hundreds of wounded.

&quot;We need a pause in the fighting but we also need to get the people inside to help organise an evacuation,&quot; he said.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said there was only a &quot;last chance to save lives&quot; in Aleppo.

The government assault has been backed by heavy artillery fire and air strikes, with at least 463 civilians, including 62 children, killed in east Aleppo since mid-November, according to the Observatory.

Another 130 people including 40 children have been killed in western districts by rebel rocket fire, the monitoring group says.

More than 310,000 people have been killed since the Syrian conflict began in March 2011, and over half the population has been displaced, with millions becoming refugees.

(AFP) 
&nbsp;

The agreement came amid mounting global outrage over reports of atrocities, including dozens of summary executions

Civilians and rebel fighters were to start evacuating from Syria's Aleppo Wednesday under a deal that would end years of opposition resistance in the city. The evacuations which were expected to begin at 0300 GMT, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor, had yet to commence more than half an hour after the time had passed, an AFP correspondent in the city said. About 20 green government buses were gathered at the edges of the divided Salaheddin district. Some entered briefly Tuesday night but returned empty and parked on the outskirts again, the journalist said. Rebel officials, Russia and Turkey confirmed the agreement which, if implemented, would mark a major victory for President Bashar al-Assad over opposition forces who rose up against him in 2011. The agreement came amid mounting global outrage over reports of atrocities, including dozens of summary executions, as forces loyal to Assad closed in on the last pocket of rebel territory in Aleppo. Officials from several rebel groups told AFP there was a deal to allow civilians and fighters to leave Aleppo for opposition-held territory to the west of the city. "An agreement has been reached," said Yasser al-Youssef from the political office of the key Nureddin al-Zinki rebel group, adding it had been "sponsored" by Russia and Turkey. "The first stage will be the evacuation of civilians and wounded, within hours, and afterwards fighters will leave with their light weapons." US calls for observers Washington said it had not been consulted but would welcome any arrangement that brought safety to the people of Aleppo. "It matters a lot less to us who or how a ceasefire is arranged or reached, and much more that one is arranged and reached," state department spokesman John Kirby said. "Even if it is the end of the siege in Aleppo, it is not the end of the war in Syria." As the UN Security Council met in an emergency session to discuss Aleppo, Russian envoy Vitaly Churkin confirmed there was an agreement for the rebels to leave the city. US ambassador to the UN Samantha Power said Washington wanted international observers to oversee the evacuation, raising concern for "people who wish to leave but who, justifiably, fear that if they try they will be shot in the street or carted off to one of Assad's gulags." Turkey's foreign ministry said under the agreement civilians would first evacuate, followed by a withdrawal of rebel groups. Deputy prime minister Mehmet Simsek said on Twitter that Turkey would "set up a tent city to accommodate up to 80,000 Syrian refugees fleeing Aleppo". An AFP correspondent in west Aleppo said there had been no sounds of fighting or bombardment since around 3:00 pm (1300 GMT) Tuesday and the Observatory also said it was quiet. The United Nations and aid agencies had been pleading for an agreement to allow for the evacuation of thousands of civilians trapped in rebel territory. After weeks of heavy fighting, forces loyal to Assad were on the verge of taking all of the city, dealing the biggest blow to Syria's rebellion in more than five years of civil war. Scenes of carnage The United Nations said it had received credible reports of at least 82 civilians, including 11 women and 13 children, being executed by pro-government forces in Aleppo in recent days. In Geneva, UN rights office spokesman Rupert Colville said pro-government fighters had in some cases entered homes and killed those inside, and in others "caught and killed on the spot" fleeing civilians. The UN was "filled with the deepest foreboding for those who remain in this last hellish corner of opposition-held eastern Aleppo," he said. Witnesses in Aleppo described scenes of carnage in rebel areas, with bodies lying amid the rubble of city streets, as desperate residents sat on pavements with nowhere to shelter. Syria's army has taken more than 90 per cent of the territory once held by rebels in east Aleppo, after launching an all-out offensive last month to seize control of the entire city. Aleppo, a cultural and economic hub in northern Syria second only to Damascus in importance, had been split between a rebel-controlled east and government-held west since 2012. 'Last chance' It was unclear how many civilians remained in rebel territory, after an estimated 130,000 fled to other parts of Aleppo during the government advance. Jan Egeland, head of the UN-backed humanitarian taskforce for Syria, told AFP that thousands of civilians were in need of evacuation and safe passage, including hundreds of wounded. "We need a pause in the fighting but we also need to get the people inside to help organise an evacuation," he said. The International Committee of the Red Cross said there was only a "last chance to save lives" in Aleppo. The government assault has been backed by heavy artillery fire and air strikes, with at least 463 civilians, including 62 children, killed in east Aleppo since mid-November, according to the Observatory. Another 130 people including 40 children have been killed in western districts by rebel rocket fire, the monitoring group says. More than 310,000 people have been killed since the Syrian conflict began in March 2011, and over half the population has been displaced, with millions becoming refugees. (AFP)

Russia, Turkey 'sponsor' deal allowing Aleppo residents to leave

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