'Deal reached' for rebels to quit

DOUMA, Syria - The Syrian government on Sunday drew closer to taking full control of rebel bastion eastern Ghouta after a deal appeared to be reached for fighters and civilians to leave the enclave's last opposition pocket.

The agreement brokered by Moscow would see fighters with the Jaish al-Islam rebel faction leave Ghouta's main town of Douma, state media said.

State television said information indicated that, under the deal, the group would hand over heavy and mid-sized weapons and acknowledge the restoration of state sovereignty over Douma.

There was no immediate confirmation from the rebels, but Russia's military said it had "reached a preliminary agreement for the withdrawal" of the group from eastern Ghouta near Damascus.

The retaking of eastern Ghouta would mark a major milestone in Damascus' efforts to regain control of territory seized by rebel factions during Syria's seven-year civil war.

State agency SANA reported that Jaish al-Islam will head to Jarabulus in the northern province of Aleppo.

Government forces have already retaken more than 95 percent of eastern Ghouta.

Successive evacuation deals for other parts of Ghouta have seen more than 46,000 fighters and civilians bussed out in recent weeks, according to an AFP tally of figures.

Defense analysts said a major goal of the government's campaign was to complete a security belt around the capital, where for years rebels dug into a network of tunnels and well-fortified positions resisted countless offensives to seize the enclave.

Afp - Reuters - Xinhua

(China Daily 04/03/2018 page11)