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Syrians Vacate Border Towns as Cease-Fire Expires

Heather Murdock

   DARBASIYAH, SYRIA - Cities and towns along the border in northeastern
   Syria evacuated in the final hours of their cease-fire with Turkey on
   Tuesday.
   In the nearly-abandoned border city of Darbasiyah, some of the few
   locals remaining were nervous and angry, saying they hoped the army of
   President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia, comes to town before
   Turkey starts bombing.
   "No agreement was reached and people are afraid," said Mohammed, a
   39-year-old father of three. While most shops were closed, he was
   keeping his vegetable shop open, saying the people remaining need to
   eat. "We are afraid that what happened in Ras al Ayn will happen here."

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