1st LD: 1st batch of rebels, families start evacuating Harasta in Syria' Eastern Ghouta
Xinhua,March 23, 2018 Adjust font size:
DAMASCUS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The first batch of Syrian rebels and their families started evacuating the city of Harasta in Damascus' Eastern Ghouta countryside on Thursday, as part of a deal that allows the exit of 1,500 rebels and 6,000 family members.
Several buses carrying 1,540 people, including 420 rebels, left Harasta for the rebel-held areas in Idlib province, a Xinhua reporter at the scene witnessed.
The second batch of rebels and their families will leave the area soon.
As part of the deal on the evacuation, 13 Syrian soldiers who had been kidnapped by the rebels in Harasta were released on Thursday.
The soldiers left Harasta earlier Thursday before the evacuation of the rebels and their families started. Enditem