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

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.

Now, Syrian troops are back in control of around two-thirds of the country after a string of victories, most recently around Damascus and in southern Syria.

Polling booths opened at 7:00 am (0400 GMT) across government-held parts of the country and will be open for 12 hours, with a potential five-hour extension depending on turnout, reported state news agency SANA.