The Assad regime’s media say a surrender deal has been agreed for Douma, the center of besieged and bombarded East Ghouta near Syria’s capital Damascus, but the rebel faction in the town says talks have not been concluded.
State news agency SANA ran the breaking headline throughout Sunday that the capitulation had been accepeted by the Jaish al-Islam rebels. It claimed that about 1,200 fighters and their families from Failaq al-Rahman, another rebel faction, left Douma yesterday in the first forced removal.
Another report said the transfer was of wounded civilians and rebels to opposition territory in northwest Syria.
The arrival of the first batch of forcibly displaced civilians from #Douma city late at night. Number reached about 24 bus, carrying nearly 1089 people. @syriacivildefe teams continue to provide care and support to those who are forced to leave their homes. pic.twitter.com/3yjtPMpvx1
— The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) April 2, 2018
A Jaish al-Islam official denied a forced removal had been agreed, saying the regime claims were psychological warfare trying to force a capiultation: “Jaish al Islam has taken the decision to remain steadfast and the idea of leaving is not on the table.”
Opposition sources said Jaish al-Islam, in talks with Russian officials, is seeking an arrangement in which Russian military and the faction would each have a role in maintaining internal security, albeit under the Assad regime’s overall jurisdiction.
Officials of Hezbollah, the Lebanese group allied with the regime, said a regime-approved local council will run the town’s affair, while rebels lay down all but small arms. A Russian-led committee with representatives from Turkey, Iran, and Russia, will be responsible for the release of prisoners of war.
E. #Damascus: same stoned busses (from previous E. #Ghouta evacuations) are now awaiting for Jaish Islam fighters in #Duma. pic.twitter.com/wrGgUr1dG0
— Qalaat Al Mudiq (@QalaatAlMudiq) April 2, 2018
Douma is the last town standing in East Ghouta after a two-month pro-Assad offensive, enabled by Russian airstrikes which have defied both a Russia-rebel agreement for a “de-escalation zone” and UN calls for a ceasefire. More than 1,700 people have been killed, thousands wounded, and tens of thousands displaced.
See Besieged, Bombarded, Removed: Stories from East Ghouta
Claimed video of shabiha, pro-Assad militiamen, bringing looted goods from East Ghouta — such as washing machines and refrigerators — for sale in a market in the al-Assad suburb of Damascus:
ضاحية الأسد أحد أهم معاقل الشبيحة في العاصمة دمشق ,تملئ شوارعها اليوم بالغسلات والبرادات وماتم تعفيشه من منازل أهالي الغوطة الشرقية ،هذا ثمن المرتزقة وضحاياهم في معارك الغوطة أفران ومكانس. pic.twitter.com/Dp56A4rFAv
— وكالة نبض الإخبارية (@wkaltnbd) April 2, 2018
Douma rebels surrender, heading for the north: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/syria-eastern-ghouta-douma-bashar-assad-russia-army-of-islam-surrenders/
Meanwhile, the Syrian army is preparing for a massive offensive against the FSA in the south of the country: https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/tensions-rise-in-daraa-as-syrian-army-troops-keep-pouring-into-province/
While the illegitimate Assad regime organizes a massive army of looters to steal the refrigerators and washing machines belonging to innocent people who have been sent into exile or have been made refugees.