Syria: Over 600 evacuated from blockaded Homs
BEIRUT (AP) — The governor of the central Syrian city of Homs says that over 600 people have been evacuated from rebel-held parts of the city, in a rare cease-fire with rebels.
Governor Talal Barrazi gave the final number of evacuees on Sunday evening after aid workers finished their work for the day.
The evacuation is part of a three-day truce that began Friday between the Syrian government of President Bashar Assad and armed rebels to allow hundreds of women, children and elderly men to leave opposition-held parts of Homs, and to permit the entry of food. Forces loyal to Assad have blockaded rebel-held parts of Homs for over a year, causing widespread hunger and suffering among residents. The United Nations mediated the truce.
Earlier Sunday, gunmen opened fire on civilians waiting to be evacuated.
