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On March 15, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the Tiger Forces backed up by the Russian Aerospace Forces captured the town of Hammuriyah in the center of the Eastern Ghouta region from US-backed Faylaq al-Rahman, according to pro-government sources.
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Earlier, Riam Dalati, a BBC journalist, revealed that militants had started withdrawing from the towns of Hammuriyah and Saqba.
CORRECTION
Rebels ARE WITHDRAWING still from #Hammouriyeh and #Saqba.
Earlier tweet is INACCURATE@ejbeals @sterion75 @sayed_ridha @Liveuamap @HassounMazen— Riam Dalati (@Dalatrm) March 15, 2018
Following the liberation of positions in the eastern part of Hammuriyah, the SAA opened a safe route allowing civilians to left the combat area. Thousands of families were immediately evacuated by the SAA through the route.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the SAA evacuated over 12,500 civilians from Hammuriyah and neighboring areas during the last few hours only. More civilians are expected to leave the pocket in the upcoming hours.
Meanwhile, a new humanitarian aid convoy of the UN entered the Jaysh al-Islam-held district pf Duma in the northern part of Eastern Ghouta in coordination with the SAA, according to SOHR. The district is currently witnessing calmness as Jaysh al-Islam appears to be respecting the humanitarian ceasefire.
The upcoming hours will likely witness further collapse of Faylaq al-Rahman’s defense in the western part of Eastern Ghouta. If the SAA continues its rapid advance there while evacuating the civilians, the battle for Eastern Ghouta may end in favour of the SAA soon.
