Syria War News Updates -- January 1, 2016

Al Jazeera: Hundreds flee fighting near Syria capital despite truce

The Barada Valley region is not part of the ceasefire because of the presence of the rebel group Jabhat Fateh al-Sham

Hundreds of civilians fled a mountainous region outside the Syrian capital on Sunday where government forces battled several insurgent groups, including one excluded from a recent nationwide ceasefire.

The Syrian military said some 1,300 people fled the Barada Valley region since Saturday. The region has been the target of days of air strikes and shelling despite the truce, which was brokered by Russia and Turkey and appears to be holding in other parts of the country, despite some reports of fighting.

The truce went into effect early Friday, and the government and the opposition are expected to meet for talks in Kazakhstan later this month.

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Syria War News Updates -- January 1, 2016

Hundreds flee fighting near Syria's capital despite truce. -- AP
Syrian warplanes strike near Damascus during fragile truce -- Reuters
Syrian warplanes resume strikes near Damascus amid shaky ceasefire -- DW
Syria clashes test fragile truce brokered by Russia, Turkey -- AFP
Militants Attack Syria's Fua, Kefraya Despite Nationwide Ceasefire - Reports -- Sputnik
Coalition Strikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq -- US Department of Defense
Residents of Syria's Shia villages tell of pain and abandonment -- CNN
In A Syrian Suburb Cleared Of Rebels, A Gradual Return To Everyday Life -- NPR
Syria conflict: UN welcomes Russia-Turkey truce efforts -- BBC
UN council welcomes Syria ceasefire move by Russia and Turkey -- The Guardian
U.N. Security Council welcomes Syria truce, rebels warn they could abandon it. -- Reuters
Syrian activists languish in government jails -- Al Jazeera
Syria: UN approves mechanism to lay groundwork for investigations into possible war crimes -- UN News Centre
Syria war crimes probe: Will anyone be charged? -- Inside Story/Al Jazeera
2016 was disastrous for Syria -- TRT
2017 Forecast: What Awaits Syria This Year -- Sputnik
Syrian Civil War Fast Facts -- CNN Library