Reports on the 'Evacuation of Some Rebels' from Eastern Ghouta

Syrian state television has broadcast images of the transfer of several fighters from Eastern Ghouta, on the outskirts of Damascus, by bus. In this context, the Jaish al-Islam group announced on Friday, March 9, that it has agreed to evacuate imprisoned fighters of this group from Eastern Ghouta. Reuters reports that Syrian state television showed passengers of a bus carrying 13 'rebels' along with their families leaving Eastern Ghouta. Meanwhile, Al Arabiya, affiliated with Saudi Arabia, reported that the Jaish al-Islam group, the main opposition group in the region, has agreed to transfer imprisoned fighters affiliated with the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, formerly known as the al-Nusra Front, to Idlib province in northern Syria. Jaish al-Islam stated that this agreement was reached following negotiations with the United Nations and civil organizations. According to RT, a Russian army official also announced on Friday that several forces separated from the al-Nusra Front have requested to negotiate with Syrian government and Russian forces. Eastern Ghouta is a collection of several cities on the outskirts of Damascus, controlled by rebels and under siege by forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad since 2013. Over the past three weeks, as the Syrian army and its allies have launched extensive operations in Eastern Ghouta, more than a thousand people have been killed. The United Nations states that about 400,000 people are trapped in the cities and villages of Eastern Ghouta. They have been under siege by government forces for years and were facing severe shortages of food and medicine even before the recent offensive began. Many civilians in the area have fled to the city of Douma. Russia had previously offered rebels that they could leave the siege with their families and personal weapons. In previous instances, when rebels have been defeated, they were allowed to go to rebel-controlled areas near the Turkish border. Meanwhile, the International Red Cross announced on Friday that a shipment of humanitarian aid has entered Eastern Ghouta. According to this report, the aid was passed through the front line of the Eastern Ghouta region by 13 trucks and headed to the city of Douma. This aid includes food packages for twelve thousand people. However, reports have also emerged about the resumption of clashes in the area. Robert Mardini, a Red Cross official in the Middle East, expressed his displeasure over the renewed fighting in Douma in a Twitter message and urged the warring parties to immediately cease hostilities to allow for the delivery of aid.