Syrian activists say rebel fighters and government forces have agreed to a truce in an opposition-held area near the central city of Homs, the Associated Press reported.

A Syrian activist who uses the name Thaer Khalidiya and another who uses the name Abu Yasin al-Homsi said on Saturday, May 24, that the truce will enable the two sides to negotiate an agreement for the rebels to leave al-Waar, an area across the Orontes River from Homs.

The two activists say the truce began on Friday.

In early May, an agreement that began with a truce ultimately allowed for the evacuation of hundreds of rebels from opposition-held parts of Old Homs.

Forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad are trying to seize rebel-held parts of major urban centers before June 3 presidential elections.