Foreign-backed militants and their families begin evacuating from a district of the Syrian capital Damascus for the first time on Monday, bringing the government closer to recapturing all of the city.

The deal to evacuate Barzeh district mirrors similar agreements for armed opposition-held territory elsewhere in the country, allowing fighters safe passage in exchange for surrender.

It comes days after the start of a deal brokered by Russia, Iran and Turkey to put in place de-escalation zones where the government and insurgents will halt hostilities.

“Armed men and some of their families have begun leaving Barzeh on 40 buses heading towards northern Syria,” state television said.

It added that the evacuation would continue for five days, but that militants who chose to stay could do so if they register with the government.

The channel did not specify how many people were expected to leave, but the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said up to 1,500 people — mostly militants– would leave Barzeh today and head to the northwest province of Idlib.

The evacuation deal was struck late Sunday night, and dozens of people had gathered in Barzeh from the morning.

Source: AFP