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

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.

As the forces aligned with the Syrian government move deeper into rebel areas in the city of Aleppo, residents there and the international community call for help and a ceasefire.

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.

Revelers drink, dance and listen to music in the Syrian capital's Old City bars. "No one talks about the war anymore," a bartender says. "We got used to it."

There are no tourists, and Damascenes have thinner wallets these days. But commerce still flows in the ancient Hamidiyeh bazaar in the Syrian capital, where the war feels very distant.