Syrians to quit last opposition enclave in Eastern Ghouta
Syrians to quit last opposition enclave in Eastern Ghouta
A deal has been struck that will see hundreds of Syrian civilians leave the opposition enclave of Douma, as the regime tightens its stranglehold on Eastern Ghouta.
2 min read
Syria's Eastern Ghouta has been subject to years of bombing [Getty]
Eastern Ghouta will be emptied of its last civilians as a deal is struck between the Syrian regime and rebel groups in control of the town of Douma.
Around 1,300 civilians will quit Douma as part of so-called evacuation deals, which will see them leave their homes for other opposition areas in Syria.
"A partial agreement was reached to evacuate hundreds of civilians who wish to leave for Idlib", Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.
"Negotiations were continuing for a full agreement, including concerning the Jaish al-Islam," he added.
A civilians committee confirmed to the news agency that a deal had been agreed with Russia.
Douma remains the last area of the once opposition stronghold of Eastern Ghouta, still in the hands of the rebels.
A huge bombing campaign of the area over a month killed 1,600 civilians and force rebel groups and civilians to leave the area for opposition Idlib.
The Syrian regime has vowed to capture Douma, which is controlled by Jaish al-Islam.
Tens of thousands of civilians have left other opposition areas following the regime and Russian assault.
Pro-regime media and the military have said they are preparing to empty Eastern Ghouta of the last "terrorists", a term it uses to refer to all opposition groups.
Syria has suffered around half a million deaths, since war broke out in 2011 when protests were brutally suppressed by the regime.
The vast majority of the victims are civilians who have died from Syrian regime bombing.
Around 1,300 civilians will quit Douma as part of so-called evacuation deals, which will see them leave their homes for other opposition areas in Syria.
"A partial agreement was reached to evacuate hundreds of civilians who wish to leave for Idlib", Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.
"Negotiations were continuing for a full agreement, including concerning the Jaish al-Islam," he added.
A civilians committee confirmed to the news agency that a deal had been agreed with Russia.
Douma remains the last area of the once opposition stronghold of Eastern Ghouta, still in the hands of the rebels.
A huge bombing campaign of the area over a month killed 1,600 civilians and force rebel groups and civilians to leave the area for opposition Idlib.
The Syrian regime has vowed to capture Douma, which is controlled by Jaish al-Islam.
Tens of thousands of civilians have left other opposition areas following the regime and Russian assault.
Pro-regime media and the military have said they are preparing to empty Eastern Ghouta of the last "terrorists", a term it uses to refer to all opposition groups.
Syria has suffered around half a million deaths, since war broke out in 2011 when protests were brutally suppressed by the regime.
The vast majority of the victims are civilians who have died from Syrian regime bombing.
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