Warring sides in Syria reach deal on two villages, border town

PanARMENIAN.Net - Warring sides in Syria have agreed with UN help on a deal to extricate one group of rebel fighters and another group of trapped villagers, sources familiar with the talks said on Thursday, September 24, according to Reuters.

The deal was reached in talks backed by Iran, which supports the Syrian government, and Turkey, which supports the rebels. With a ceasefire in the areas holding, it offers a rare chance of success for foreign-brokered diplomacy in the intractable conflict.

It also comes as Russia shores up Damascus with increased military support, prompting the United States to talk with its Cold War foe. Syria's four-year civil war has killed an estimated 250,000 people and driven more than 11 million from their homes.

The agreement includes the withdrawal of rebel fighters holed up in the mostly government-held area near Lebanon, and the evacuation of civilians from two Shi'ite villages under rebel siege in Idlib province in northwest Syria, the sources said.

The office of UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura confirmed that there were positive developments in the talks, which were facilitated by the United Nations, but said it was up to the parties to say if there was a deal to announce.

One source close to talks on the government side, and another with knowledge of the negotiations, told Reuters that it would be implemented within six months, during which time there would be an extended ceasefire in the areas.

An evacuation of those wounded from both sides could begin on Friday.

Some 500 opposition prisoners would be freed from government jails under the deal.