Activists say deal reached to evacuate besieged Syrians

Lebanese Al-Manar TV and activists say a deal to evacuate 500 residents of four besieged Syrian communities has been reached.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Wednesday six were evacuated on medical grounds from Foua and Kfraya while two were evacuated from Zabadani in the deal sponsored by the United Nations and coordinated by the Red Crescent. The U.N. declined comment.

The evacuation would be the first major one since a February cease-fire, which has all but collapsed amid renewed violence. In December, 460 from the four communities were evacuated.

Madaya northeast of Damascus and Zabadani near the border with Lebanon have been besieged by government and allied militia for months. Fouaa and Kfarya in the northern province of Idlib are blockaded by rebels for over a year.