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-43509540

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Syria war: Eastern Ghouta rebels announce ceasefire Syria war: Eastern Ghouta rebels announce ceasefire
(about 3 hours later)
One of the remaining Syrian rebel groups in the besieged enclave of Eastern Ghouta, just outside Damascus, has announced a ceasefire. One of the remaining Syrian rebel groups in the besieged enclave of Eastern Ghouta, outside Damascus, has announced a ceasefire.
The Faylaq al-Rahman group said the truce had been brokered by the UN and would come into effect at 22:00 GMT. The Faylaq al-Rahman group said the UN-brokered truce was to begin in the south of the enclave at 22:00 GMT.
It said this would allow talks with the Russian military, Syria's ally, to guarantee the safety of civilians. Syria has not commented on the issue. It said the move would allow talks with the Russian military, Syria's ally, on guarantees for the safety of civilians.
Syrian troops and their allies have driven rebels out of 70% of the region. Rebels in another part of the area reached a similar deal earlier. Syrian troops have taken 70% of the enclave.
They have also cut Eastern Ghouta into three pockets. In recent weeks, they have cut the Eastern Ghouta into three separate pockets.
Faylaq al-Rahman controls the southern pocket around Arbin and Zamalka. What did Faylaq al-Rahman say?
Earlier on Thursday, Syrian rebels and their families began evacuating Harasta - a key rebel-held town. Spokesman Wael Alwan said late on Thursday that a ceasefire had been agreed "in order to negotiate with the Russian side about finding a solution to guarantee the safety of civilians".
Buses carrying 1,480 people, including 600 Ahrar al-Sham rebels, drove out of the town as night fell, en route to the rebel-held northern province of Idlib. The truce deal was reached "through the auspices of the United Nations", said the group, which controls the southern pocket around Arbin and Zamalka.
There has been no comment from either Russia's military, the Syrian government or the UN.
It was not immediately known whether the truce was actually in force after 22:00 GMT on Thursday.
What about the earlier ceasefire deal?
It was offered by the Syrian army to Ahrar al-Sham rebels, who until recently controlled the key town of Harasta in the north-west.
The rebels agreed to lay down their weapons and leave Harasta.
Buses carrying 1,480 people, including 600 Ahrar al-Sham rebels, drove out of the town earlier on Thursday, en route to the rebel-held northern province of Idlib.
A military source said hundreds more were expected to follow on Friday.A military source said hundreds more were expected to follow on Friday.
That evacuation deal was the first agreed since the offensive on the Eastern Ghouta was stepped up a month ago.That evacuation deal was the first agreed since the offensive on the Eastern Ghouta was stepped up a month ago.
A monitoring group says the air and ground assault has killed 1,500 civilians, injured 5,300 others, and forced 82,000 to flee in recent days.A monitoring group says the air and ground assault has killed 1,500 civilians, injured 5,300 others, and forced 82,000 to flee in recent days.