1st LD: 13 kidnapped soldiers released from Damascus' Harasta

DAMASCUS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- A total of 13 Syrian soldiers who were kidnapped by the rebels in the Damascus' eastern city of Harasta were released on Thursday, as part of an agreement that will see the evacuation of rebels and their families from that area as well as kidnapped Syrian soldiers, according to the state TV.

The kidnapped soldiers were the first to leave Harasta on Thursday before the evacuation of the rebels and their families from that area in the Eastern Ghouta countryside of Damascus.

The soldiers reached the government-controlled part at the entrance of Harasta, as the Syrian warplanes were flying at a low altitude over that city.

The agreement will see the evacuation of 1,500 rebels and 6,000 civilians of their families.

Also, 40 busses entered Harasta as well as ambulances of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) to evacuate the rebels and their families from that area. Enditem