Evacuations begin from blockaded Syrian towns

The evacuation of 250 people from two Syrian towns blockaded by pro-government forces began on Wednesday, a witness told Reuters, after an agreement was reached which also allows for another 250 people to leave two towns blocked off by rebels. The towns blockaded by pro-government forces are Zabadani and Madaya, near the Lebanese border. A Syrian Arab Red Crescent car leaving Madaya and Zabadani came under rebel fire but there were no casualties, a witness told Reuters.