By Wassim Essa, click to see the full-size image
On May 19, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the besieged fighters of ISIS south of the city of Damascus reached a 24-hours ceasefire agreement, according to the Russian TV network RT.
RT claimed that the ceasefire will be followed by an evacuation agreement that will allow more than 1,700 fighters of ISIS and their families to withdraw to an unknown area.
A source in the SAA 4th Division confirmed to SouthFront that a temporary ceasefire is reached in southern Damascus. However, the source stressed that no evacuation agreement is being discussed as for now.
Minutes after RT’s claims, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) denied any agreement between the SAA and the besieged fighters of ISIS in southern Damascus. However, the news agency didn’t comment on the temporary ceasefire.
Local observers believe that the temporary ceasefire was agreed upon as a part of a limited deal to exchange prisoners or the bodies of fighters who were killed during the recent clashes. The SAA may also allow the civilians, including the families of ISIS fighters, to withdraw from southern Damascus.
