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1st LD: Dozens Syrian families start entering hotspot near Damascus

Xinhua, January 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

Dozens of Syrian families started returning to their homes in a rebel-held district south of the capital Damascus on Wednesday, following a successful truce between the government and the rebels, local media reported.

State news agency SANA said dozens of families started returning to their homes in the western and eastern districts of al-Qadam neighborhood in the framework of the "national reconciliations."

Meanwhile, pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV said 5,000 people are expected to return to al-Qadam, where the rebels and the government forces agreed on a truce, called by the government "reconciliation," which will allow the rebels to be enlisted in pro-government militia and will be responsible for the security in that neighborhood.

Several truces and evacuation of rebels have taken place recently in Syria, particularly around Damascus, in the latest effort by the government to clear the vicinity of the capital from insurgent groups.

The government concludes such truces by laying tight siege on rebel-held areas to force the rebels to abandon their positions under negotiated deals, largely mediated by the UN. Endit