All news

Over 2,500 militants with families evacuated from Yarmouk camp in Syria during past day

They were taken by busses to the north of the Aleppo province.

MOSCOW, May 6. /TASS/. More than 2,550 militants and their family members left eastern areas of the former Palestinian refugee camp in Yarmouk in Damascus, chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria Yuri Yevtushenko said on Sunday.

"For the fourth day, the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties and units of Russian military police have been continuing evacuation of militants of illegal armed groups and members of their families from eastern districts of the former Palestinian refugee camp Yarmouk via the Beit Sahem humanitarian corridor. During the past day, a total of 2,556 militants and their family members used this corridor to leave the area. They were taken by busses to the north of the Aleppo province. The bus convoy was accompanied by Syrian security services and ambulance cars. As many as 4,571 militants and members of their families have been evacuated from the settlements of Yalda, Bibbila, Sidi Miqdat and Beit Sahen since May 3," he said.

As was agreed previously, militants of illegal armed groups continue to surrender weapons and military hardware to Syrian troops in the Homs de-escalation zone, under control of the Russian reconciliation center. Throughout the day, three units of hardware, 92 weapons of various types and munitions were surrendered.

However, according to Yevtushenko, sporadic ceasefire violations by militants were reported in the provinces of Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama and Daraa.

Situation in Eastern Ghouta and Eastern Qalamoun

About 64,230 Syrians have already returned to their homes in Eastern Ghouta from camps for refugees and temporarily displaced persons, Yevtushenko said.

"The situation in Eastern Ghouta is normalizing. Life is returning to normal. Works are continues in the city of Douma to clear it of debris, restore housing and utilities facilities, demining works are conducted at dwelling houses. During the past day, nine houses and household territories were cleared of mines. Thirteen explosive objects were destroyed," he reported.

Efforts are being taken in coordination with the Syrian authorities to improve the humanitarian situation in Eastern Qalamoun. "Five houses and household territories were cleared of mines in the Ruheiba neighborhood. Three explosive objects were destroyed," he added.

Humanitarian situation

Throughout the day, as many as 178 people returned to their homes in the provinve of Homs, and 114 people returned to Eastern Ghouta. "The Russian reconciliation center is monitoring resettlement of refugees from the de-escalation zone Tell Rifaat to the settlement of Membij in the province of Aleppo. As many as 507 people with their personal belonging were evacuated to that settlement during the day," Yevtushenko added.