An evacuation of rebel fighters from Homs was delayed Saturday, despite a cease fire in the city, Associate Press reports.
After a blockade by Assad’s forces caused widespread hunger, members of the Syrian opposition agreed to surrender territory in exchange for safe passage to other rebel-held areas.
Several hundred fighters were set to leave as part of the deal. Activists say it was not clear why the rebels were not allowed to leave Saturday as planned, reports AP.
One activist reported that rebels were gathering wounded fighters, while others believed the delay was due to a plan to allow food and aid into some of the blockaded areas. Some said the postponement could be because of a prisoner swap between rebels and Assad’s forces.
The Syrian civil war has raged on into its fourth year leaving over 150,000 dead. Nearly 2.5 million have fled the violence and are now refugees among neighboring nations.
