900 rebels and their families evacuate Syria's Daraa

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Around 900 Syrian rebels and their family members have evacuated the southern province of Daraa over the past 24 hours, as part of a Russian-backed agreement, a monitor group reported Monday night.

Altogether 24 buses evacuated the rebels and their families from the Busra al-Sham town, which is the gathering point for those who want to evacuate Daraa toward rebel-held areas in northern Syria, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

On Sunday, 3,400 militants and their families left Daraa and the nearby province of Quneitra, according to the Observatory.

Syrian government forces gather on al-Jabieh hill during their advance on Nawa in the southern province of Daraa, July 22, 2018. /VCG Photo

The evacuations are part of a Russian-backed agreement to allow the rebels and civilians who don't want to reconcile with the government to leave.

The Syrian army has already captured 90 percent of Daraa either through military action or reconciliations since June 19.

Both Daraa and Quneitra are key provinces for the Syrian army due to their proximity to Jordan and Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Smoke rises during air strikes backing a Syrian government-led offensive in the southwestern province of Daraa, July 23, 2018. On June 19, Syrian government forces launched a Russia-backed offensive to retake Quneitra and Daraa and provinces. /VCG Photo

The Syrian army launched the offensive against the rebels in southern Syria late last month, following the major victory of the army in the capital Damascus.

With the Russian support, reconciliation deals are being reached in several areas, enabling the army to recapture many areas without battles.

(Cover image: Syrians get on buses to leave southwestern Daraa province with the 1st convoy on July 15, 2018. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency