Russia: Truce to Go Into Effect in Another Syria ‘Safe Zone’

MOSCOW (AP) —
Islamic State fighters take cover during a battle against Syrian government forces on a road between Homs and Palmyra, Syria. (AP via IS Website, File)

Russia’s Defense Ministry says a cease-fire has been agreed on in another of the four planned safe zones in war-torn Syria.

The Ministry’s spokesman, Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, says the truce should go into effect at noon on Thursday in the rebel-held area north of the city of Homs.

Earlier, truces already went into effect in other areas of the four zones.

The truces are taking hold even as U.S.-backed Syrian opposition forces are battling to rout Islamic State terrorists from their self-declared capital of Raqqa.

Russia and Iran, both supporters of Syrian President Bashar Assad, and Turkey, which backs rebels fighting Syrian government forces, agreed on a plan in May to establish four “de-escalation” zones in Syria, pressing Assad’s air force to halt flights over the designated areas.

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