Syrians begin evacuating the Damascus suburb of Daraya on Friday as part of an agreement the government reached with rebels.
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Daraya is located just 15 minutes drive from Damascus and is even closer to the government’s Mazzeh air base.
The UN said that it had not been consulted on the evacuation plans, with special Syrian envoy Staffan de Mistura saying it was “imperitive” that Daraya residents be protected and evacuated only voluntarily.
At least 48 green and white buses, eight ambulances and several Red Crescent and United Nations vehicles were lined up at the entrance of Darayya earlier Friday, waiting for the green light, the Associated Press reported. A group of uniformed soldiers celebrated, shouting pro-Syria slogans and flashing victory signs.
Darayya is now completely empty of rebels, according to BBC Arabic.
Footage posted on the internet by a member of the Darayya local council shows a small group of a few dozen people milling about in a street lined with destroyed buildings. Women in full face cover are seen sitting on pieces of rubble while bearded men walk about.
The deal concluded for Daraya included the departure of the rebels who don’t want to reconcile with the government along with their families to rebel-held areas in the northwestern province of Idlib.
“Idlib will be their graveyard”, said a Syrian army soldier.
Deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Daraya have always been cause for concern and the United Nations said it would send a delegation into the town to assess civilian needs. “This is a precious moment for every Syrian”, he added.
The source, who asked not to be named in line with regulations, said the safety zone around Damascus has been expanded with the return of Daraya under the government control.
The siege of Daraya began shortly after residents blamed the Syrian regime for the deaths of hundreds of civilians.
Daraya had been ravaged by constant army bombardment, and only a single aid convoy, last June, reached the town since it came under siege in late 2012.
“Our condition has deteriorated to the point of being unbearable”, he said on Thursday night, ahead of the evacuations.
Long sieges have prompted rebels in several locations to agree evacuation deals with the regime, prompting activists to accuse Damascus of using “starve or surrender” tactics.
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