Syria; Jaysh al-Islam Group Has Not Yet Evacuated Douma

According to reports, negotiations for the rebels of the Jaysh al-Islam group to evacuate Douma in Eastern Ghouta have been postponed. Meanwhile, Russian state media report that Bashar al-Assad's forces are increasing their presence around the city. The German news agency quoted the director of the 'Sham Relief Institute' in Douma, who stated that 'negotiations are currently being conducted by a popular committee formed by doctors, engineers, and several military personnel inside Douma with representatives from Russia.' Maad al-Baydani stated on April 1 that these negotiations are 'difficult' and are not expected to yield results in the short term. Just hours before, the Syrian state news agency SANA reported that a group of rebels along with their families had begun to leave Douma. According to SANA, these individuals are members of the 'Faylaq al-Rahman' group. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that around 1,300 'fighters, activists, and civilians' had expressed readiness to leave the city. The Associated Press noted that this is the first time a group of rebels has exited in an organized manner. Russian representatives had previously reached agreements with other rebel groups in Eastern Ghouta, and Douma is effectively the last area that rebels have not fully evacuated. France's news agency reported that the Jaysh al-Islam group hoped to reach an agreement with the Assad government and Russian representatives that would allow their continued presence in Douma. However, they are increasingly facing pressure from government forces and the likelihood of conflict. The state newspaper Al-Watan reported on Sunday that 'the Syrian army has increased its forces around Douma, and pressures on Jaysh al-Islam to accept a reconciliation agreement have intensified. This is the same reconciliation that other parties in Eastern Ghouta have agreed to.' The evacuated rebel forces have been sent to areas under rebel control in Idlib. France's news agency reported that armed forces inside Douma are also facing 'pressures' from the city's citizens, with a group gathering in the streets demanding explanations. The demonstrators also called for the release of prisoners held by the Jaysh al-Islam group. Reports indicate that over 1,600 civilians have been killed in heavy attacks on Eastern Ghouta by Syrian government forces, supported by Russia and Iran. Rebels have accused government forces and their supporters of using napalm bombs and chemical weapons. The Bashar al-Assad government has denied these accusations, stating that 'hundreds of rebels' have been killed during the attacks. The continuation of military campaigns in Syria, despite a ceasefire announced by the Security Council, has faced criticism from Western countries, the United States, and the United Nations. Analyses indicate that the aim of the intense military campaign in Eastern Ghouta was to create a belt of government-controlled areas around Damascus, the capital of Syria. The Syrian civil war began in March 2011 after a severe crackdown on widespread protests against Bashar al-Assad's government. This war has left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced, destroying a vast portion of Syria's economic, civil, and even ancient and cultural centers.