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Gunmen in the southern part of the Syrian city of Daraa, known as Daraa al-Balad, have finally succumbed to the demands of Syrian authorities and begun to leave the area.
On August 26 afternoon, 50 wanted gunmen departed Daraa al-Balad along with their families in several buses provided by Syrian authorities. The gunmen will most likely settle in Turkish-occupied areas in the northern countryside of Aleppo. Russian forces are reportedly facilitating the evacuation process.
Click to see full-size image.
Click to see full-size image.
Click to see full-size image.
Nearly two months ago, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) laid a siege on Daraa al-Balad in order to pressure local leaders into accepting the demands of Syrian authorities.
The authorities named more than 100 wanted gunmen who should leave Daraa al-Balad and requested the deployment of SAA troops inside the area. These measures are meant to secure Daraa city.
This was the second batch of wanted gunmen to leave Daraa al-Balad this week. The first batch, which consisted of eight gunmen only, left on August 25.
Now with nearly half of the wanted gunmen out from Daraa al-Balad, the crisis in the southern governorate appears to be closer than ever to being resolved.
Despite this progress, the situation in Daraa is still unstable. Earlier today, a soldier of the SAA was killed and eight others were wounded in an attack in the western countryside. A judge was also assassinated by unidentified gunmen in the same region.
