Syrian regime, opposition agree on cease-fire in Homs

HOMS/IDLIB, Syria

The Syrian regime and opposition forces have reportedly agreed on a cease-fire in a northern countryside in Homs province.

“Assad regime and Russian forces will enter into the region and the opposition fighters will surrender all heavy weapons. Those who do not want to stay in the region will be allowed a safe exit to opposition-held areas in the north,” the opposition forces said on Telegram, an instant messaging app.

Earlier on Wednesday, Russia turned down a proposal by Syrian opposition groups for a cease-fire in the countryside.

The proposal, which was made at a Tuesday meeting between opposition representatives and Russian officials in Homs, reportedly called for a cease-fire and the reopening of the region’s main thoroughfares.

Syria has only just begun to emerge from a vicious conflict that began in 2011, when the Assad regime cracked down on demonstrators with unexpected ferocity.

Reporting by Mohamad Misto and Burak Karacaoglu; Writing by Sibel Ugurlu