Syrian regime forces entered opposition-held parts of the southern city of Daraa on Thursday (July 12th), raising the national flag in the cradle of the uprising that sparked the country's seven-year war, AFP reported.

Late Wednesday, state media reported the regime had reached a deal for opposition fighters to hand over their heavy weapons in opposition-held parts of the city.

On Thursday a convoy of Russian military police and regime officers entered the city to raise the flag.

But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the flag raising was merely "symbolic".

Measures to implement the so-called reconciliation deal for opposition-held parts of the city had not yet been implemented, the Observatory said.

Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said opposition fighters were still inside Daraa city, but had not yet handed over their heavy weapons, and there were no signs of any evacuations.

Activist Omar al-Hariri said Russian and regime troops had left Daraa city on Thursday after raising the flag.

"We expect those against the so-called reconciliation to be evacuated in the next few days," he said. "Only after that will the regime enter completely and officially, and start inspections, allowing us to say the city is under its full control."