PHOTO: Aftermath of regime airstrike on Saraqeb, east of Idlib city, on Saturday

Syria’s rebels are warning that a ceasefire, agreed last week to cover areas in Damascus Province and in the northwest, is already collapsing.

After weeks of negotiations, rebels had agreed with Iranian officials, representing the Assad regime, for a halt to the Hezbollah-regime offensive — launched on July 3 — to capture the town of Zabadani, 31 km (19 miles) northwest of Damascus. In return, rebels would stop attacks on the regime enclaves of al-Fu’ah and Kafraya, north of Idlib city in northwestern Syria.

Rebels and remaining civilians were to be evacuated from Zabadani, while women, children, and men over 50 would be allowed out of the two enclaves.

In addition, the Syrian air force was to cease bombing of parts of Idlib Province, including Idlib city — in effect, creating the first no-fly zone in Syria’s 4 1/2-year conflict.

However, rebels and activists reported on Saturday that Syrian warplanes bombed Taftanaz, 17 km (11 miles) northeast of Idlib city, causing casualties — among the dead was a citizen journalist, Obada Gazal. Videos showed the aftermath of the attacks and victims being treated in hospital.

Saraqeb, east of Idlib city, was also hit.

Observers also said regime forces attacked near al-Fu’ah and Kafraya, with rebels returning fire.

The Jaish al-Fateh rebel coalition issued a statement that, citing six barrel bombs on Taftanaz, said its “only choice was to retaliate with shelling of al-Fu’ah. It blamed the Assad regime for showing that it was “unable to care for its followers” security”.

A member of Jabhat al-Nusra tweeted late Saturday that Jaish al-Fateh had resumed attacks on the enclaves: