The Syrian army seized control of the village of al-Zalakiyat north of Hama on Sunday amid a heavy bombardment, a war monitor reported, despite a deal brokered by Russia, Syria's main foreign backer, to reduce fighting. Under an agreement that took effect at midnight on Friday, fighting was intended to subside over six months in four "de-escalation zones" where violence between the army and rebels have been most intense. The deal was agreed during ceasefire talks in Astana in Kazakhstan between the Syrian government's backers Russia and Iran, and the main rebel sponsor Turkey. Syria's government said it supported the proposal but added that it would continue to fight what it called terrorist groups around the country. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said previously that all the rebel groups fighting to oust him are terrorists.

Source: Egypt Independent May 07, 2017 13:07 UTC