Alison Meuse

As Syrian forces advanced on rebel-held areas, many rebels and others fled to Syria's northern countryside. But that area could be next on the government's strategic map.

In some areas of Syria, local truces have averted deadly military takeovers. But in a suburb north of Damascus, rebel fighters say their departure resulted more from coercion than negotiation.

After a week of heavy fighting and shelling, evacuations have begun in the besieged city of Aleppo. A few thousand people have been able to leave, but still many are trapped in the eastern part of the Syrian city.

Wounded fighters, their families and civilians boarded buses for evacuation from the besieged city of Aleppo, Syria. The shaky cease-fire appeared to be holding as the buses began the trip to Idlib

Shelling and airstrikes have stopped in the besieged Syrian city. A Russian-led evacuation of rebels and civilians is underway, though there have been reports of evacuees being fired upon.

A ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey designed to allow civilians, fighters and their families leave besieged eastern Aleppo broke down before anyone could flee.

There are conflicting reports as to whether civilians are being evacuated from the rebel-held part of Aleppo. It's also not know if a cease-fire is still in place.

Civilians in the rebel-held side of the city are fleeing for their lives, dodging crossfire along the front line to reach the regime-held part of the city. "It was all so sudden," one woman tells NPR.

Beirut's lone communist inspired bar toasts the life of Fidel Castro.

President Assad's supporters greeted the U.S. election results with optimism. For years they've faced hostility from the U.S. Opponents to the government fear a Trump administration will abandon them.