BEIRUT — Syrian opposition activists and a paramedic group say that airstrikes in a Damascus suburb have killed eight people, including children.

The casualties late on Monday were the first since Russia said three days ago that an agreement was reached with the Syrian opposition on the boundaries for a de-escalation zone for the eastern suburbs of Damascus.

The Syrian Civil Defense group, more popularly known as the White Helmets, and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights say the air strike on Arbeen killed eight and wounded several others.

They said on Tuesday that the dead included children and women.

The chief of the Russian general staff, Col. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi, said earlier that Moscow deployed military police to monitor the ceasefire in a safe zone in the eastern suburbs of Damascus.

The Observatory said: "This is the first time that civilian martyrs have fallen as a result of regime or warplane bombardment since the start of the ceasefire agreement in the Eastern Ghouta".

Russia said it had deployed military police in the Eastern Ghouta on Monday to try to enforce a de-escalation zone it said it had agreed with the Syrian opposition there.

The Syrian military declared a cessation of hostilities there on Saturday.

The Syrian army has dealt the opposition a string of defeats around the capital over the last year, seizing back control of areas including Daraya and Moadamiya. — Agencies