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Syrian Civil War (Graphic Photos/Vid Not Allowed)

“IS took full control of Qadam, and 36 government troops and loyalist fighters have been killed,” reported Observatory .

Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said the regime was sending reinforcements to retake Qadam, which was attacked from the adjacent IS-controlled neighborhood of Hajjar Al-Aswad.

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Syrian Army to Take Second East Ghouta Pocket as Militants Agree Transfer Deal
© AFP 2018/ Louai Beshara
MIDDLE EAST
16:50 23.03.2018(updated 18:15 23.03.2018)Get short URL
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Islamist militants in a number of towns and settlements in Damascus’ East Ghouta region have agreed to be transferred to the northwestern province of Idlib, which shares a border with Turkey, and is one of the last remaining militant bastions in Syria.

Combatants from the towns of Zamalka, Jobar, Arbin and Ein Tarma have agreed to evacuate, according to reports by Syrian State media on Friday. The militants will be transferred to Idlib province along with their family members.

Specific details about the transfer are yet to be released.

Troops from the Syrian Army will subsequently begin securing the areas and are likely to deploy sappers to conduct demining operations, probably with assistance from Russia.

This latest transfer agreement comes just off the back of an earlier deal where militants in the Damascus suburb of Harasta also agreed to be bused off to Idlib.

Once they were evacuated from Harasta, the militants detonated an ammunition depot, injuring four volunteers from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA.)

READ MORE: Two Killed, Nine Injured in 'Cluster Bomb' Terror Attack on Syria’s Damascus

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© AFP 2018/ AMMAR SULEIMAN
Two Killed, Nine Injured in 'Cluster Bomb' Terror Attack on Syria’s Damascus
Militants have used East Ghouta as a launchpad to fire mortars and improvised rockets to government-held parts of Damascus, killing and injuring hundreds of civilians in recent weeks.

Once the Syrian Army takes control of the aforementioned towns, it will be in control of over 80 percent of the East Ghouta region, and are poised to liberate the remaining areas over the coming weeks, or potentially sooner if surrender, reconciliation or transfer deals are swiftly negotiated.

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201803231062836548-militants-damascus-transfer-idlib/
 
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Syrian Army's Operation in E Ghouta Means 'Complete Surrender' of US – Scholar
© Sputnik/ Mikhail Voskresenskiy
OPINION
10:28 27.03.2018(updated 10:29 27.03.2018)Get short URL
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Commenting on the current situation in Syria in an interview with Sputnik, Mehmet Yuva, coordinator of the Turkish-Syrian Friendship Committee and lecturer at the University of Damascus, has specifically pointed to coordinated work between the two countries which has persisted despite the lack of direct contact.

Mehmet Yuva from the University of Damascus has recalled that Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield in Syria was followed by the liberation of Eastern Aleppo and Eastern Ghouta, which he said "evidently means that all these processes are interrelated."

"Eastern Ghouta is a very important area for the United States and Israel, as well as the entire southern front. Accordingly, the cleansing of terrorists from Eastern Ghouta means these players' complete surrender in this direction and the suppression of the activity of local [militant] groups," Yuva said.

He also stressed that Turkey's stance on the events would be significantly different "if Ankara did not show political will, failing to clinch agreements with Russia and Iran and agreeing with the Syrian Army's operation in the area.

Yuva also stressed that there have been no provocations in Syria's Idlib governorate during the ongoing military operation in Eastern Ghouta, and that Turkey has essentially supported Syrian government forces.

READ MORE: Syrian Army Troops Enter Damascus' Al-Qadam After Militants Evacuated to Idlib

According to him, "the situation in Idlib deserves attention because we are talking about an area where thousands of militants are located."

"During the cleanup operation in Eastern Ghouta, militants were forced to move to Idlib. Despite all the calls for 'opening new fronts and organizing attacks', no offensive on government forces were launched from Idlib territory. If Turkey was not part of this [cleaning], its implementation on Syrian soil would be much more difficult," Yuva underscored.

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© AFP 2018/ LOUAI BESHARA
'Assad Has Won': US Centcom Chief Wants to Contend Russia's Influence in Syria
Separately, he mentioned the forthcoming April 4 summit between Turkey, Iran and Russia in Istanbul, which Yuva said would "give a new dimension to the process of Syrian settlement against the backdrop of the development and strengthening of Russian-Turkish cooperation on Syria."

Late last week, the Russian Defense Ministry said that civilians have continued to leave Eastern Ghoutavia the humanitarian corridors, and that more than 108,000 people have already fled the area since the introduction of daily humanitarian pauses.

The Syrian Army has already liberated at least 70 percent of the territory of Eastern Ghouta, which has been controlled by armed anti-government groups including the al-Nusra Front* since 2012.

The views and opinions expressed by Mehmet Yuva are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of Sputnik.
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*a terrorist group banned in Russia

https://sputniknews.com/analysis/201803271062935363-eastern-ghouta-russia-turkey-us/
 
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'Biggest' evacuation sees more than 6,700 people leave Ghouta
As evacuations from several towns in Syria's Eastern Ghouta continue, rebels in Douma, home to 140,000 people, hold on.

2 hours ago

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One rebel group in Eastern Ghouta's Douma has refused to surrender and is still engaged in negotiations [Reuters]
MORE ON SYRIA'S CIVIL WAR
At least 6,750 people have been evacuated from towns in Syria's Eastern Ghouta, marking the largest evacuation to date, according to state media.

A convoy of 100 buses departed on Tuesday morning from the Irbin corridor towards rebel-held Idlib province in the north, state news agency Sana reported.

In previous evacuations about 6,000 people have already left the towns of Harasta, which was controlled by the Ahrar al-Sham rebel group, as well as Irbin, Zamalka, Jobar and the district of Ain Tarma, which were controlled by the Faylaq ar-Rahman rebel group.

The rebel groups last week reached an evacuation deal with Russia, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's main ally in the seven-year war.

Eastern Ghouta refugees: 'We left our history, our memories'


A third rebel group in Eastern Ghouta's Douma, the enclave's biggest town, home to about 140,000 people, has refused to surrender and is still engaged in negotiations.

According to activists, a deal between the Jaish al-Islam rebel group and the Russians will most likely be announced at the end of the week.

Eastern Ghouta has been under rebel control since mid-2013. That year, Assad's government imposed a tight siege on the Damascus suburb, which was home to about 400,000 people.

For six weeks since February 18, Syrian government forces, backed by Russian fighter jets, tightened their siege on the city with heavy bombardments and shelling that killed about 1,500 people and wounded more than 5,000.

Douma-based activist Laith al-Abdullah told Al Jazeera that Faylaq ar-Rahman are trying to evacuate their extended family members currently trapped in Douma – despite ongoing negotiations.

"Negotiations are ongoing and we expect to hear in three days whether a deal is reached," he told Al Jazeera.

Douma's local council on Tuesday described the negotiation process as "difficult".

"We do not expect fast results. We all need to be patient," the council said in a statement.

The first round of negotiations between the Douma-based rebels and the Russians included talks on improving shelters for displaced civilians, the statement added.

The talks also included ceasefire extension to last throughout the entire negotiation period, and to allow aid trucks in.

The second round of talks will kick off on Wednesday, activists told Al Jazeera.

It is still unknown what the agenda of the second round will entail.

Residents of the enclave have been in dire need of food and medicine, especially since the latest offensive began, which has exacerbated Eastern Ghouta's humanitarian crisis.

Though some aid has previously been allowed in, a 46-lorry aid convoy only included supplies for 27,000 people. Other convoys have not been able to enter due to the government's bombardment campaign that had been ongoing for more than a month.

Syria forces close to gaining full control of Eastern Ghouta

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA NEWS

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/03/evacuation-sees-6700-people-leave-ghouta-180327085025109.html
 
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BEIRUT: Russia troops said Monday they expect to reach an agreement with a major Syrian rebel group to arrange its exit from the last rebel-held town in eastern Ghouta in another key victory as they push to gain control of the region on the edge of Damascus.

Douma is the only town on the eastern outskirts of the Syrian capital still held by rebels

The town, controlled by the powerful Army of Islam, is also home to tens of thousands of people, including many who were displaced over the past weeks of fighting as government forces pushed deeper into eastern Ghouta.

Lt. Gen. Stanislav Gadzhimagomedov told Russian news agencies on Monday in Syria that Russia’s military is in talks with the Army of Islam rebel group for the leave Douma.

Gadzhimagomedov, who is the deputy head of the Chief Operational Department at the Russian General Staff, said he expects the Russian military to “take them out soon” and that the rebels have reportedly indicated their willingness to stop fighting.

there are divisions among the group regarding negotiations over Douma, with some hard-liners refusing any talks with Russians and those will likely be taken to the central Qalamoun region.

some fighters asked to be allowed to go to the southern province of Daraa but that the Russians rejected this request.

Syria’s pro-government Al-Watan daily said the Army of Islam and the Russians have reached an “understanding,” adding that each side will study a draft agreement within the next three days and if they agree on it, the agreement will be signed.

Al-Watan quoted Syrian legislator Mohammed Kheir Seiryoul, who is originally from Douma, as saying that the understanding could lead to an agreement to dissolve the Army of Islam. During this period, its members would hand over their heavy weapons and the FSA (Syrian government) would assume control of state institutions in the town.

A civilian committee representing Douma said in a statement released late Sunday after meeting Russian officials that the negotiations “are extremely difficult and no quick results should be expected.”

Talks with the Russians will resume within three days, it said.

the town was subjected to some artillery shelling early on Monday that wounded several people.

The negotiations on Douma came after thousands of rebel fighters and their families of the three other eastern Ghouta pockets in the past weeks, after years of siege and weeks of heavy bombardment by the Syrian army and Russia’s air force.

18 buses carrying 1,100 people, including 238 opposition fighters (Iranians) from different rebel factions, were getting ready Monday to leave the towns of Jobar, Zamalka and Arbeen toward Idlib.

The Russian Defense Ministry’s Center for Reconciliation in Syria said in a statement that more than 400 people left Douma early Monday. It put the total figure of civilians and rebels evacuated from the area since the Russia-sponsored “humanitarian pauses” were announced at 114,000 people.

Army of Islam spokesman Hamza Bayraqdar blasted their former allies in Ghouta of Faylaq Al-Rahman group, explaining them of helping FSA (government forces) in capturing more than 80 percent of the once rebel-held districts after they dried out artificial swamps set up by insurgents to slow down the army’s offensive.

“We had defensive plans prepared, but regrettably Faylaq Al-Rahman cut the water that was brought from Barada River,” Bayraqdar told the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya TV. “This sped up the FSA advance.”
 
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'Biggest' evacuation sees more than 6,700 people leave Ghouta
As evacuations from several towns in Syria's Eastern Ghouta continue, rebels in Douma, home to 140,000 people, hold on.

18 hours ago

MORE ON SYRIA'S CIVIL WAR
At least 6,750 people have been evacuated from towns in Syria's Eastern Ghouta, marking the largest evacuation to date, according to state media.

A convoy of 100 buses departed on Tuesday morning from the Irbin corridor towards rebel-held Idlib province in the north, state news agency Sana reported.

In previous evacuations about 6,000 people have already left the towns of Harasta, which was controlled by the Ahrar al-Sham rebel group, as well as Irbin, Zamalka, Jobar and the district of Ain Tarma, which were controlled by the Faylaq ar-Rahman rebel group.

The rebel groups last week reached an evacuation deal with Russia, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's main ally in the seven-year war.

Eastern Ghouta refugees: 'We left our history, our memories'


A third rebel group in Eastern Ghouta's Douma, the enclave's biggest town, home to about 140,000 people, has refused to surrender and is still engaged in negotiations.

According to activists, a deal between the Jaish al-Islam rebel group and the Russians will most likely be announced at the end of the week.

Eastern Ghouta has been under rebel control since mid-2013. That year, Assad's government imposed a tight siege on the Damascus suburb, which was home to about 400,000 people.

For six weeks since February 18, Syrian government forces, backed by Russian fighter jets, tightened their siege on the city with heavy bombardments and shelling that killed about 1,500 people and wounded more than 5,000.

Douma-based activist Laith al-Abdullah told Al Jazeera that Faylaq ar-Rahman are trying to evacuate their extended family members currently trapped in Douma – despite ongoing negotiations.

"Negotiations are ongoing and we expect to hear in three days whether a deal is reached," he told Al Jazeera.

Douma's local council on Tuesday described the negotiation process as "difficult".

"We do not expect fast results. We all need to be patient," the council said in a statement.

The first round of negotiations between the Douma-based rebels and the Russians included talks on improving shelters for displaced civilians, the statement added.

The talks also included ceasefire extension to last throughout the entire negotiation period, and to allow aid trucks in.

The second round of talks will kick off on Wednesday, activists told Al Jazeera.

It is still unknown what the agenda of the second round will entail.

Residents of the enclave have been in dire need of food and medicine, especially since the latest offensive began, which has exacerbated Eastern Ghouta's humanitarian crisis.

Though some aid has previously been allowed in, a 46-lorry aid convoy only included supplies for 27,000 people. Other convoys have not been able to enter due to the government's bombardment campaign that had been ongoing for more than a month.

Syria forces close to gaining full control of Eastern Ghouta

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA NEWS

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/03/evacuation-sees-6700-people-leave-ghouta-180327085025109.html
 
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The eighth convoy carrying civilians and opposition fighters from Eastern Ghouta, a besieged suburb of Damascus, arrived in Syria’s central-western Hama province on Thursday.

According to Anadolu Agency correspondents based in the area, evacuees were taken from the towns of Arbin, Zamalka and Ain Tarma.

Thursday’s convoy was comprised of 80 buses carrying 2,282 passengers, including injured people, medical patients and a number of opposition fighters.

At least 30,000 people have been evacuated from Eastern Ghouta since the evacuation process began last week.

On Wednesday, a 55-bus convoy arrived in Hama with 3,014 civilians aboard.

Evacuees are being accommodated at temporary refugee centers -- and at local schools and mosques -- in Syria’s northwestern Idlib and Aleppo provinces.

Last week, the first two convoys evacuated people from Eastern Ghouta’s town of Harasta. These were followed by additional evacuations from the towns of Arbin, Zamalka and Ain Tarma.

The evacuations are part of a Russia-brokered agreement between Syria’s Assad regime and armed opposition groups.

On Feb. 24, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2401, which called for a ceasefire in Syria -- especially in Eastern Ghouta -- to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Despite the ceasefire resolution, however, the regime and its allies early this month launched a major ground offensive -- backed by Russian air power -- aimed at capturing opposition-held parts of the district.

Since Feb. 19, at least 1,433 people have reportedly been killed in attacks by the regime and its allies in Eastern Ghouta, according to local civil-defense sources.

Home to some 400,000 residents, the district has remained under a crippling regime siege for the last five years that has prevented the delivery of badly-needed humanitarian supplies.
 
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