This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35048404

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Syria crisis: Rebels 'leave Homs' under truce Syria crisis: Rebels 'leave Homs' under truce
(35 minutes later)
Syrian rebels have begun evacuating the last district they hold in the city of Homs under a ceasefire deal reached with the government, monitoring groups and activists said.Syrian rebels have begun evacuating the last district they hold in the city of Homs under a ceasefire deal reached with the government, monitoring groups and activists said.
The deal means the entire city returns to government control. The deal means the entire city returns to government control, in a boost for President Bashar al-Assad.
Those leaving are due to go to areas of Idlib province still in rebel hands.Those leaving are due to go to areas of Idlib province still in rebel hands.
Homs, in central Syria, was once dubbed the "capital of the revolution" and saw some of the first protests against President Bashar al-Assad, in 2011. Homs was once dubbed the "capital of the revolution" and saw some of the first protests of the 2011 uprising.
Buses arrived on Wednesday to transport fighters and their families out of the Homs suburb of al-Wair, activist network the Local Co-ordination Committees said.Buses arrived on Wednesday to transport fighters and their families out of the Homs suburb of al-Wair, activist network the Local Co-ordination Committees said.
About 800 people, including rebel fighters and civilians, are due to depart throughout Wednesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.About 800 people, including rebel fighters and civilians, are due to depart throughout Wednesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Fighters linked to al-Qaeda are among those due to leave, but moderate groups who have accepted the ceasefire are expected to remain.Fighters linked to al-Qaeda are among those due to leave, but moderate groups who have accepted the ceasefire are expected to remain.
Under the UN-backed deal, food aid has reached the suburb for the first time in nearly a year.Under the UN-backed deal, food aid has reached the suburb for the first time in nearly a year.
The Syrian Red Crescent tweeted (in Arabic) that its teams were operating in the area but few details were available on the conditions on the ground.The Syrian Red Crescent tweeted (in Arabic) that its teams were operating in the area but few details were available on the conditions on the ground.
Homs: The Syrian revolution's fallen 'capital'Homs: The Syrian revolution's fallen 'capital'
Homs during the uprising: A profileHoms during the uprising: A profile
Ahead of the deal, the Syrian authorities said they released 35 opposition fighters detained in Homs.
"We wish for the best," said one resident. "What do we want but safety?""We wish for the best," said one resident. "What do we want but safety?"
An estimated 75,000 people still live in al-Wair, down from about 300,000 before the start of the Syrian crisis.An estimated 75,000 people still live in al-Wair, down from about 300,000 before the start of the Syrian crisis.
Some Syrian activists argue the deal is effectively a surrender forced by punishing blockades. As part of the deal, the Syrian authorities this week said they released 35 opposition fighters detained in Homs.
But others have defended the truce struck in al-Wair on the grounds that some groups will be allowed to keep their own weapons and control over their own communities. The ceasefire involves rebels withdrawing from al-Wair in exchange for the Syrian government lifting their siege of the district.
Government police, but not troops will then re-enter, Homs governor Talal Barazzi told AFP.
Q&A: The Homs ceasefire
Is this a victory for Bashar al-Assad? The withdrawal of the last remaining rebels from al-Wair is a blow to the opposition because it gives the government complete control over what was once the centre of the uprising against the president.
Has it come about because of Russia's intervention? The Syrian military launched an offensive on rebel-held areas outside Homs after Russia began its air campaign two months ago. But al-Wair fell because its residents were besieged for almost three years, coming under continuous and heavy bombardment and receiving only limited and irregular supplies.
Does this offer hope for a wider peace deal? Local ceasefires like the one that allowed the al-Wair withdrawal - negotiated by Syrians, rather than involving outside states - may be the most effective way of gradually bringing peace to the country.
Why are rebel and opposition factions meeting in Saudi Arabia? Leading opposition politicians and rebels are for the first time meeting in an attempt to agree a common position ahead of peace talks with the government, which world powers want to start in Vienna next month.
Will those talks lead to peace talks with the government? Analysts say trying to get the disparate factions to agree to the same platform and negotiate as one unit will prove very difficult, if not impossible.
A similar ceasefire last year in another opposition-held area of Homs, the Old City, drew criticism from activists as effectively being a surrender forced by a relentless bombardment.
But some activists have defended the truce struck in al-Wair on the grounds that some groups will be allowed to keep their own weapons and control over their own communities.
In Saudi Arabia, representatives from Syria's splintered opposition have meanwhile begun a meeting to try to form a unified front to negotiate with the Syrian government.
Are you in Homs or know someone who is? Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experience.Are you in Homs or know someone who is? Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experience.
If you are willing to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number.If you are willing to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number.
Email your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, upload them here, tweet them to @BBC_HaveYourSay or text 61124. If you are outside the UK, send them to the international number +44 7624 800 100.Email your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, upload them here, tweet them to @BBC_HaveYourSay or text 61124. If you are outside the UK, send them to the international number +44 7624 800 100.
Or WhatsApp us on +44 7525 900971Or WhatsApp us on +44 7525 900971
Read our terms and conditions.Read our terms and conditions.
Or comment below.Or comment below.