Syrian rebels withdraw from enclave northeast of Damascus

Syrian rebels began withdrawing from an enclave northeast of Damascus on Saturday and will go to northern Syria, both state TV and a rebel official confirmed, in a surrender agreement that marks another victory for President Bashar al-Assad.

The withdrawal will restore state control over the eastern Qalamoun enclave, some 40 km from Damascus.

Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, is seeking to wipe out the last few rebel enclaves near Damascus, building on momentum from the defeat of the insurgency in eastern Ghouta, which was the last major opposition stronghold near the capital.

Smoke rises from Yarmouk Palestinian camp in Damascus, Syria, April 20, 2018. /Reuters Photo

State TV said rebel fighters and their families would be transported from eastern Qalamoun to Idlib and Jarablus, a rebel-held territory at the border with Turkey, with 3,200 militants and their families expected to leave on Saturday.

A first convoy of 10 buses has left Ruhaiba.

Meanwhile, the Syrian military and its allies pressed the bombardment of a besieged enclave south of Damascus.

A damaged military vehicle is seen at the city of Douma in Damascus, Syria, April 20, 2018.

State TV footage showed clouds of smoke rising from the al-Hajar al-Aswad district, part of an enclave including the Palestinian Yarmouk camp that is held by ISIL militants and other jihadist groups.

UNRWA, the UN agency that cares for Palestinian refugees, has said it is deeply concerned about the fate of civilians including some 12,000 Palestinian refugees in Yarmouk and the surrounding areas.

"Displacement continues with people moving to the neighboring area of Yalda ... to escape the fighting. Some families are staying in Yarmouk, either because they cannot move due to the intensity of the fighting or because they choose to remain," UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness said.

(REUTERS)