DAMASCUS, Syria -- Syrian rebels and their families began evacuating from a district of Damascus for the first time on Monday, bringing the government closer to recapturing all of the capital. The deal to evacuate Barzeh district mirrors similar agreements for opposition-held territory elsewhere, allowing fighters safe passage in exchange for surrender. An AFP photographer saw rebel fighters carrying light weapons looking on as children and women in brightly-colored headscarves pulled shabby suitcases and duffel bags. A source from the pro-government National Defense Forces said rebel fighters would be allowed to take their "personal weapons" with them. 'De-escalation' ZonesAssad's government controls all but six districts of Damascus: Barzeh, Qabun, Jobar, Tishreen, Tadamun, and Yarmuk camp.

Source: The China Post May 08, 2017 10:52 UTC