DAMASCUS, Sept 9 (NNN-SANA) – The Syrian army, yesterday hoisted the Syrian flag, in Daraa al-Balad, in the southern province of Daraa, following a Russian-mediated agreement with the armed rebels in that area.
The army hoisted the Syrian flag, after scores of rebels laid down their weapons and surrendered themselves, while others chose to be transported to rebel-held areas in northern Syria.
Over the past couple of weeks, the Russians have put in a lot of efforts, to ensure success, a deal for defusing the months-long tension in Daraa.
The deal mainly allows rebels who want to reconcile with the government to lay down their weapons, in exchange for a pardon, while others who reject the government are allowed safe access to rebel-held areas in northern Syria.
The deal was faced with many snags, as the rebels were demanding access to Jordan or Turkey, as the situation in rebel-held areas in northern Syria wasn’t satisfactory for them.
However, the deal seems like it worked out, finally.
The army is deploying in Daraa al-Balad, amid preparations for combing the area, in search of weapons and tunnels left by the departed rebels.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), recently placed the number of internally displaced people in Daraa province, as a result of the recent tension, at 38,600, including almost 15,000 women and over 20,400 children.
The Syrian army entered Daraa in 2018, after the rebels there were dislodged to the rebel-held areas in the north-western province of Idlib. However, the tension has continued in Daraa, with attacks taking place occasionally.
