File image, Via SANA
More than 20,000 displaced civilians returned to their homes in the eastern Daraa countryside as a result of the southern Syria agreement, which was reached a day earlier by Russia and the US-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA), the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on July 7.
According to the pro-opposition monitoring group, the displaced civilians returned to the towns and villages of Bosra al-Sham, Ghdm, al-Taebah, Om Elmiathin, Nasib, M’araba, Khirba, Sahwat al-Qamh, Jubayb, al-Jizah, Umm Walad, al-Musayfirah and Ghariyat al-Gharbiyah.
However, another part of the displaced civilians is refusing to return to their homes in the villages of Busra al-Harir, al-Harak, Saida, al-Surah, Nahitah and Kahil, according to the SOHR. This part will likely be allowed to leave towards the opposition-held areas in northern Syria.
Under the agreement, the Russian Military Police will be deployed in southern Syria in order to facilitate the return of more than 100,000 civilians who were displaced as result of the recent battles there. Later, the Syrian Police and security forces will be deployed there, while the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) will be deployed along the border with Jordan and in its former bases.
The agreement is yet to be official announced by the FSA, as many commanders in the western Daraa countryside and the southern governorate of al-Quneitra are standing against it. This issue will likely be solved soon peacefully or militarily.
