Syrian Army closer than ever to gain full control over Eastern Ghouta

Tabnak – After weeks of heavy fighting between the Syrian Army forces and rebel and terrorist groups in Eastern Ghouta, it’s now reported that the Army is about to gain full control over this strategically important area. Ghouta deemed as the last rebel-held area near the capital, Damascus.

According to Aljazeera, two out of three rebel groups that had been controlling the enclave have already surrendered, with thousands of fighters and their relatives departing for opposition-held areas in the north of the country.

The third rebel group, Jaish al-Islam, which controls the city of Douma, has so far refused to give in. However, it is understood that Jaish al-Islam is also close to reaching an evacuation deal following negotiations with the Russian army, an ally of Syrian forces.

Talks between Jaish al-Islam and the Russian military had earlier collapsed due to the group's refusal to be evacuated to Idlib, a northwestern province still largely under rebel control.

It’s reported that Jaish al-Islam does not have good relations with the rebel groups which dominate Idlib province, and for this reason, they may be sent to an eastern region, close to Lebanon's border.

Meanwhile, Russian news agency Sputnik cited a statement by the Russian Defense Ministry, saying that civilians continue leaving Eastern Ghouta via the humanitarian corridors. "The civilians continue leaving Eastern Ghouta through the humanitarian corridors with the assistance of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Warring Parties."

The ministry added that the representatives of the reconciliation center had provided about 2,600 Syrians with food and water over the past 24 hours. In the statement, the ministry added that it was broadcasting live from the corridors' checkpoints using video cameras.

It should be noted that the militants in Eastern Ghouta encompass multiple factions, including terrorists, and in-fighting between them has made the Syrian Army’s work easier to retake the areas under their control. The two largest groups are Jaish al-Islam and its rival, Faylaq al-Rahman.

The Eastern Ghouta is so close to Damascus that militant have been able to fire mortars into the heart of the capital, leading to scores of civilian deaths. In a latest incident, terrorist rocket fire reportedly killed a young Syrian footballer and wounded seven others as they were training in Damascus on Saturday.

On February 24, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2401 that urges all parties to the conflict in Syria to immediately stop hostilities and adhere to a humanitarian ceasefire for at least 30 days across the whole of Syria in order to ensure the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, as well as the medical evacuation of injured people. Despite the adopted document, clashes in the area have continued.