Ceasefire holds in northwest Syria after violation overnight, monitor says

BEIRUT - Reuters

REUTERS photo

A week-old ceasefire agreement in northwest Syria appeared to hold on Sept. 27 after it was violated for the first time overnight, a monitoring group said.

An online statement attributed to insurgent alliance the Army of Conquest said rebels shelled Shi'ite village al-Foua in retaliation for government attacks on areas nearby and in the city of Homs farther south. 

The insurgents blamed government forces for violation of the ceasefire. 

Under the Iranian- and Turkish-backed ceasefire, warring sides have agreed to cease hostilities in at least two villages in northwestern province Idlib, and a town near the Lebanese border for up to six months. 

During that time, insurgent fighters are to withdraw from the border town, Zabadani, where they are surrounded by pro-government forces. In return, civilians would be evacuated from the Shi'ite villages of al-Foua and Kefraya in Idlib which are under rebel siege. 

Rebels shelled al-Foua overnight, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. 

The Homs attack, a rocket fired at a rebel-controlled neighbourhood, killed at least 17 people including four children on Saturday, the Observatory said.