Civilians, fighters depart Syria's besieged E. Ghouta

By Adham Kako, Levent Tok and Esref Musa

EASTERN GHOUTA/ANKARA (AA) - Vehicles teeming with civilians and opposition fighters set out from the Harasta district of Syria’s Eastern Ghouta district on Thursday, according to pro-opposition sources.

As part of a Russia-brokered evacuation agreement between the Assad regime and armed opposition groups, an initial convoy carrying 1,500 evacuees set out from Harsata on Thursday en route to opposition-held parts of Idlib province.

A total of 8,000 people -- including opposition fighters and their families -- are currently slated for evacuation from Eastern Ghouta, a regime-besieged suburb of capital Damascus.

Hossam Beiruti, a member of Harasta’s local council, told Anadolu Agency that anyone wanting to leave the district would be allowed to do so under the terms of the agreement.

“Those suffering bad health will be sent to hospitals in Idlib or Damascus,” Beiruti said. “The regime, meanwhile, has promised to guarantee the safety of those who want to stay and those who want to go.”

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

Despite the cease-fire 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.

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