Syrian rebels have begun withdrawing from the last big, besieged enclave that they held in the war-torn country.
Hundreds of fighters have been boarding buses along with their families in a pocket of territory lying in central Syria, between Homs and Hama.
Under a deal with the government's Russian allies, the militants have been given safe passage to opposition-controlled territory in northern Syria.
It is the latest rebel enclave to give in after a long siege.
The only significant areas of Syria still in rebel hands lie along its borders in the far north and the far south. (BBC)
Russian pilots die in military helicopter crash in Syria: agencies
Two pilots were killed when a Russian military Ka-52 helicopter crashed in eastern Syria, news agencies reported on Monday citing Russia’s defense ministry.
“A Russian military helicopter has crashed while carrying out a planned flight over the eastern regions of Syrian Arab Republic,” TASS news agency reported, citing a statement by the defense ministry.
On May 3, a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet crashed in Syria shortly after take-off, killing both of its crew members. (Reuters)