The Syrian government and rebels have reached a deal to evacuate opposition fighters from an area of southern Damascus near the site of a regime offensive against jihadists, state media said Sunday. The announcement comes more than a week into a regime assault to oust Islamic State group fighters from the capital's southern suburbs, including the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmuk.
On Sunday, state news agency SANA said a deal had been reached to evacuate opposition fighters and members of their families from rebel-held areas east of Yarmuk. SANA reported "an agreement reached between the Syrian government and terrorist groups in southern Damascus, in the areas of Yalda, Babila and Beit Sahem", using its usual term for all rebels. The deal gives fighters the choice between leaving the area with their families or handing over their weapons and staying, SANA said.
The reported deal is the latest in a string of such agreements that have seen the regime retake areas near the capital after rebel withdrawals.