On September 8, the US-led coalition announced in an official statement that it suspended its operation to monitor the stranded convoy of ISIS fighters and their families upon a request from Russia.
According to the statement, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies captured the area where ISIS convoy is stranded at 7am GMT on September 8.
“The regime’s advance past the convoy underlines continued Syrian responsibility for the buses and terrorists. As always, we will do our utmost to ensure that the ISIS terrorists do not move toward the border of our Iraqi partners,” Said Brigadier General Jon Braga, director of operations for the US-led coalition.
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On August 29, around 300 ISIS fighters and 300 civilians from their families’ withdrew from the Western Qalamoun region, according to a deal between ISIS and Hezbollah. The deal included moving the fighters and their families to the Syrian al-Bukamal city near the border with Iraq.
In its statement, the US-led coalition stressed that the Syrian government and Hezbollah bear a full responsibility for the safety of the civilians in the convoy.
“From the start of this situation on Aug. 29, we have placed responsibility for the buses and passengers on the Syrian regime, who in conjunction with Lebanese Hezbollah brokered a deal with ISIS to move its terrorists into Iraq,” Said Brig. Gen. Braga.
The situation is still far from being solved as the US-led coalition insists on not allowing the convoy to enter ISIS-held areas in Syria. In the end ISIS fighters in the convoy will likely find them self-forced to surrender to the SAA.
