Rebels have fired mortar shells from a planned buffer zone in northwest Syria, an activist group said Sunday, days after they were meant to have withdrawn such weapons from the area.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said rebels in the zone fired several "mortar shells at an army position in nearby Hama province, killing two soldiers" late Saturday.
Zaman al-Wasl reporter said the rebels shelling was in response to regime artillery on the opposition held-areas which left two children wounded.
Also Saturday, rebels shelled Aleppo province from other parts of the demilitarized area, with no casualties recorded, the Britain-based activist group said.
"This is the first clear violation of the deal since the heavy weapons were withdrawn. This area is supposed to be clear of heavy weapons, including mortar shells," said Observatory head Rami Abdel-Rahman.
Under a deal reached by opposition backer Turkey and regime ally Russia last month, rebels and militants alike were meant to have pulled out all heavy arms from the horseshoe-shaped zone by Oct. 10.
The deadline had reportedly been met, with Ankara, rebel factions, and the Observatory all reporting that the area was free of heavy-duty weaponry.
Syrian pro-government newspaper Al-Watan also reported on the apparent violation.
On Sunday morning it said that western parts of Aleppo province were being hit with "rocket fire and shelling with heavy weapons, which were supposed to be pulled out from the area."
And an AFP correspondent in western Aleppo reported mortar fire in the area after several days of quiet.
AFP, Zaman Al Wasl
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