The Syrian regime halted its attack on rebel-held area in central Homs and Hama provinces after rebels cut the main water supplies to government areas, pro-regime activists said Tuesday.
The regime has succumbed to the threat of cutting off drinking water on the Salamyiah region in the eastern countryside of Hama, one of President Bashar al-Assad's manpower supplies.
Regime fighter jets conducted more than 150 airstrikes since Sunday, killing at least 14 civilians in a de-escalation zone north of Homs city.
Rebels said they thwarted the attack by the regime army and allied militias, leaving 30 troops dead.
The Russian army on Wednesday met with the negotiations committee in northern Homs and southern Hama a day after the regime forces halted a major attack that had begun on the opposition-held areas.
The committee said a long-term cease-fire would be the ground for any further negotiations. Five army defectors representing the committee will meet with Russian officers in Hmeimeem air base to discuss a new de-escalation deal in the central provinces of Homs and Hama.
Russia’s Defense Ministry and opposition agreed to set up a “de-escalation” zone in northern Homs last August. The fragile cease-fire has been subjected to several violations by the regime forces.
This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
