Russia deploys military forces to monitor Homs 'de-escalation' zone

Russia deployed military police north of the city of Homs on Friday after announcing a ceasefire a day earlier to implement a new "de-escalation zone" in the war-torn country.

Russia, a key backer of President Bashar al-Assad, also set up checkpoints and observation points as part of the de-escalation agreement.

The Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said military police would establish two checkpoints in the Harb Nafseh and Dayr districts and three observation posts in the districts of  Khmeirat, Qubeibat and Tel Ameri.

The forces will "ensure the disengagement of the opposing sides, monitor compliance with the cessation of hostilities and also ensure unhindered deliveries of humanitarian supplies and evacuations of those ill and injured," he said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said dozens of Russian troops deployed on front lines between regime forces and opposition fighters.

A day before troops deployed, the Syrian regime had violated Thursday's truce with shelling in the central town of Talbiseh around midnight killing one person and injuring several others.

Regime shelling also targeted the nearby villages Teir Maaleh and Gharnata but the situation calmed down before Russian troops began deploying, the Observatory said.

Russia and Iran, which back Assad, and rebel supporter Turkey agreed in May to establish four "de-escalation" zones in a potential breakthrough towards calming a war that has claimed an estimated 400,000 lives since March 2011.

The zones have seen thousands of civilians leave their homes across the country after the Syrian regime recaptured former opposition neighbourhoods.

Syria's conflict evolved from a bloody government crackdown on protests in 2011 into to a devastating war that has drawn in world powers, including Russia and a US-led international coalition.