Warring Sides in Syria Reach Deal on Zabadani, Kefraya, Foua

Saturday, 26 September 2015

Warring Sides in Syria Reach Deal on Zabadani, Kefraya, Foua

Local Editor

Warring sides in Syria have reached an agreement over all items related to a ceasefire in Kefraya and Foua, North of Idleb countryside, and in Zabadani, Damascus countryside as a ceasefire in the areas held.

The deal, under UN supervision, included the withdrawal of terrorists holed up in the mostly government-held area of Zabadani near Lebanon, and the evacuation of civilians from the villages of Foua and Kefraya under terrorists’ siege in Idlib province in northwest Syria, Reuters quoted sources as saying.

It would be implemented within six months, during which time there would be an extended ceasefire in the areas. Evacuation of wounded from both sides could begin as early as Friday.

The deal came just days after Syrian government forces and Hezbollah on one side, and insurgents fighting against Syria on the other, agreed on a third ceasefire in the areas since August.

Previous ceasefires in Zabadani, Foua and Kefraya, had held only briefly.

Hezbollah and Syrian forces have tightened the noose around terrorists in Zabadani and Idleb province. The operation began in early July and is seen as an attempt to bolster control of land routes between Lebanon and Syria and sever rebel supply lines.

Zabadani is located 50 kilometers northwest of Damascus and 12 kilometers northeast of Lebanon’s Masnaa border crossing.