Syrian State Media: Jaysh al-Islam Forces are Leaving Ghouta

Syrian state media reported on Monday, April 1, that the last group of opposition fighters in Eastern Ghouta is in the process of leaving the area. Meanwhile, a military source stated that the opposition has not yet accepted the proposed deal from the Russian authorities. Jaysh al-Islam, which is present in Douma in Eastern Ghouta, has not confirmed reaching an agreement with the central Syrian government despite heavy Russian airstrikes and ground assaults by Syrian forces. If Jaysh al-Islam agrees to leave Douma, the war in Eastern Ghouta, which was the last stronghold of the opposition against the Syrian government, will come to an end. A military source in Syria told Reuters that several Jaysh al-Islam fighters have rejected the proposed deal from the central Syrian government, which in turn has stated that if they do not accept, it will continue its attacks. The military official added, 'In the end, they must accept the agreement that has been proposed to them.' Syrian state television reported that eight buses carrying 448 fighters and their families left Douma on Monday and are heading to northern Syria. The report indicated that the opposition is being transferred to the northern area along the border with Turkey, which is still under opposition control. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also confirmed that several buses entered Douma on Monday to transport the opposition and their families near the Turkish border. According to the deal proposed by the Syrian government, Jaysh al-Islam must leave behind its heavy and medium weapons to confirm that control of the area has returned to the central Syrian government. The central Syrian government lost control of Douma in the early years of the Syrian civil war. Recent joint attacks by Syrian and Russian forces on Eastern Ghouta are considered one of the deadliest military operations during the Syrian civil war, with reports indicating that over 1,600 civilians have been killed in these attacks. The report states that if Douma is taken, the central government in Damascus will regain control of major parts of the country. However, if it attempts to take other areas, it may clash with other global powers. Another part of Syria is under the control of the so-called 'Syrian Democratic Forces,' which includes Kurdish militants who, with U.S. support, defeated the Islamic State or ISIS forces in Syria. Turkey also controls another territory in the Afrin area along with its allies. Earlier, AFP reported that the Jaysh al-Islam group hoped to reach an agreement with the Assad government and Russian representatives that would allow the continued presence of this group in Douma, but they are increasingly facing mounting pressures from government forces and the likelihood of conflict with each passing hour. The state newspaper Al-Watan also reported on Sunday that 'the Syrian army has increased its forces around Douma, and pressures on Jaysh al-Islam to accept the reconciliation agreement have intensified. The same agreement that other parties in Eastern Ghouta have agreed to.'