First local elections held in Syria since 2011

The electors have the right to express their verdict by voting from seven o'clock in the morning by local time (04:00 GMT) to 7:00 (16H00 GMT) for municipal advisers in this state, still in a state of war.

The news agency reported that more than 400,000 candidates are in the race for 18.478 seats in all provinces.

Syrian state television features images of electors voting at polling stations near Damascus and in the coastal towns of Latakit and Tartus, traditionally known as President Assad's bets.

After more than seven years of bloody war and thanks to the help of the Russian ally, who has militarily supported him by standing by, the Syrian regime already controls nearly two-thirds of the country, although fighting continues in several regions.