Syria Crisis: Government army tries to evacuate more civilians from Eastern Ghouta

World
Europe

In the past month, Syria's army has re-captured more than 70-percent of the Eastern Ghouta suburb of Damascus. But those gains came at a high price for the four-hundred thousand civilians inside the rebel stronghold. Alaa Ebrahim has more.

The Syrian exodus; dozens of thousands fleeing the fighting in Eastern Ghouta, the rebel held enclave on the outskirts of Damascus.

The government accuses rebels of using civilians as human shields and preventing residents from leaving through humanitarian corridors the government has set up.

Families like Darakazali, have been living in the besieged enclave long before the war. Naiem the eldest son says they were reluctant to come out.

NAIEM DARKAZALI EVACUEE FROM SAQBA, EASTERN GHOUTA "We were afraid. Rebels told us stories. Twice before we wanted to leave but didn't, because we were scared. They told us the dead bodies of those who tried to leave before were left on the street after the army killed them. I want to be frank, we saw nothing of the sort."

ABU AYMAN DARKAZALI EVACUEE FROM SAQBA, EASTERN GHOUTA "Yes we were scared. We were scared of the army. But when we got to where the army is, they met us and were nice to us. They carried me because I can't walk. I saw this with my own eyes."

But for others leaving was never a choice, impoverished families could never bear the costs of leaving everything they own, no matter how little it is, behind.

Like Hammoud family, two boys a girl and infant twins along with their mother and father, they walked for two days before they got to safety.

FADIA HAMMOUD EVACUEE FROM EIN TARMA, EASTERN GHOUTA "We are exhausted. Militants inside didn't allow us out. Inside there is no food as we were besieged and starving. I couldn't get milk for my infant babies. I have twins and we couldn't afford milk."

Syrian government sources say that over a 100 thousand civilians already left Eastern Ghouta and that many more will follow. Though it is unclear if Damascus will be able to provide for all of them.

ALAA EBRAHIM DAMASCUS "Tens of thousands of civilians are leaving EASTERN Ghouta using this road you can see behind me. They are crossing into government-controlled areas where authorities have promised them food, medication and shelter. Despite the fact that they just escaped near death in one of the Syrian conflict's worst battles their future remains uncertain. Alaa Ebrahim - CGTN - Damascus."