Second stage of Syrian evacuations reportedly starts from Ghouta
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 24 March 2018 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Second stage of Syrian evacuations reportedly starts from Ghouta, 24 March 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5b20dd865.html [accessed 23 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Last Updated: March 24, 2018 21:24 GMT
Syrian regime forces stand near buses while rebel fighters pray as they wait at the entrance of Harasta in eastern Ghouta, on the outskirts of Damascus, on March 22.
Syria's state-run media is reporting that hundreds of rebel fighters and their relatives began leaving eastern Ghouta on buses late on March 24 and were heading for opposition-held areas in the north of the country under an agreement to evacuate the second of three surrounded opposition-held areas east of Damascus.
Earlier on March 24, Syria's state media reported that about 7,000 members of the rebel group and their relatives were preparing for the evacuation under a deal reached a day earlier between Faylaq al-Rahman, the second-most powerful rebel group in eastern Ghouta, and Russia's military.
Bulldozers on March 24 also removed giant sand barriers from a main road in the town of Harasta that the evacuation buses are meant to pass through on their way to northern Syria.
The government-controlled Syrian Central Military Media said the corridor was being prepared for Faylaq al-Rahman members and their relatives to leave the towns of Zamalka, Arbin, Ein Tarma, and Jobar.
The reported evacuations come after thousands left Harasta, the first opposition-held pocket of territory to be evacuated, under a similar deal for armed opposition fighters and civilians.
Based on reporting by Reuters and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
