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Syrian government forces enter Eastern Ghouta’s Harasta - state TV

The town has been "fully cleared of terrorists", a senior Syrian military commander said

TASS, March 24. Syrian government forces have entered the town of Harasta in Eastern Ghouta after the last units of the Ahrar al-Sham militant group left the area, Syrian state television reported, adding that de-miners had begun to clear mines.

A senior military commander told the state TV that "Harasta has been fully cleared of terrorists," which is "a huge success for all Syrians."

The second stage of militant exit from the town of Harasta located in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta was completed on Friday. According to Syrian state TV, in the past two days, as many as 4,614 people, including 1,485 militants, left the town to travel by buses to the Idlib province, controlled by the armed opposition.

A capitulation agreement was reached by the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the opposing sides in Syria and Ahrar al-Sham leaders.

Leaders of the Failak Ar-Rahman militant group, controlling the Arbin, Ein Tarma and Zamalka suburbs of Damascus, as well as the Damascus municipality of Jobar, also announced readiness to withdraw their units from Eastern Ghouta. The state TV says around 7,000 people, including militants and their families, will leave these areas. According to the agreement, terrorists from the Jabhat al-Nusra group, who fought on the side of Failak Ar-Rahman, will also go to the Idlib province.

The town of Douma (12 kilometers away from Damascus), held by the Jaish al-Islam militants, remains the armed opposition’s main stronghold in Eastern Ghouta.