First batch of rebels reach destination after evacuating Aleppo

The first batch of rebels arrived at destination on Thursday after leaving their last strongholds in Syria's northern city of Aleppo, state TV reported.

The first batch of rebels and their families arrived at the Rashidien area in the western countryside of Aleppo city, said the TV.

It added that the second batch was preparing to leave.

Buses carrying rebels started to leave eastern Aleppo on Thursday afternoon, as part of a deal between Turkey and Russia to evacuate all the rebels from Aleppo.

The move was supervised solely by the International Committee of the Red Cross, without presence of the United Nations staff, said the TV.

The buses were leaving through the Ramouseh road, the main government road into Aleppo, since the international road had long been closed due to rebel control on some parts of it.

Ambulances carrying the ill and wounded were also seen leaving alongside the buses.

The Russians and Syrians claimed to take the responsibility of securing the rebel convoys out of Aleppo.

About 15,000 people, including 4,000 rebels, will evacuate on Thursday, as part of the Russian-Turkish deal.

According to the deal, the rebels will have to surrender their weapons, except personal ones.

The TV said the Syrian army has seized weapon stashes in eastern Aleppo, including two million mortar shells, 2,000 Grad missiles and other heavy arms.

The deal also stipulates that both parties should observe a truce during the evacuation.

In exchange for the evacuation in eastern Aleppo, rebels in the northwestern province of Idlib will allow civilians to leave the besieged Shiite towns of Kafraya and Foa.

Buses carrying people from the two towns have already started leaving Idlib in tandem with the departure of rebels from Aleppo.

With the evacuation, the Syrian army will take over the whole Aleppo city, as it has already controlled 99 percent of the rebel-held areas in the eastern part of the city. Endit