Assad holds local elections

Damascus – Syrians in government-controlled areas cast their ballots yesterday in the first local elections since 2011, when the country’s ill-fated uprising erupted against President Bashar al-Assad’s rule.

Seven years since the last vote, the conflict has killed more than 360 000 people, forced millions more to flee, and left the economy in tatters.

Syrian troops are back in control of around twothirds of the country. –