The gangs were supposed to withdraw from the buffer as a final condition to implementing a Russian-
The accord hung in the balance early Monday, seven years into a grinding civil war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions.
Just hours before the deadline expired, rebels vowed to continue to fight.
"We have not abandoned our choice of jihad and fighting towards implementing our blessed revolution," said Hayet Tahrir al-Sham
(HTS), an alliance led by al-Qaeda's former Syrian affiliate."We appreciate the efforts of all those who strive inside and abroad to protect the liberated area," it said in an apparent reference to
...Qatar's colony in Asia Minor....
"But at the same time, we warn of the deceitfulness of the Russian occupier," it said of Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir
Pencilneckal-Assad
Horror of Homs...
's ally.
Under the deal, heavy weapons were to have been withdrawn from the horseshoe-shaped buffer by October 10 and fighters to have left by Monday.