Alwaght- Syria’s government forces have liberated the city of Douma that was held by terrorists and now entire Eastern Ghouta is under control of government forces, a Russian defense official announced Thursday.
"Today saw a landmark event in Syria’s history. A state flag hoisted on the Douma building heralded control over this settlement and, hence, over entire Eastern Ghouta," chief of the Russian center for reconciliation of the warring parties in Syria Yuri Yevtushenko said.
According to Yevtushenko, Russian military police units will be deployed in Douma following its liberation from militants to maintain law and order during its transition under control of Syria’s legitimate government.
The Russian reconciliation center said earlier it is finishing evacuation of militants and their families from Douma. Yevtushenko said on Wednesday about 4,000 militants and members of their families had left the city during the past day, surrendering more than 400 pieces of weaponry, including large-caliber machineguns, grenade launchers, sniper and assault rifles.
Since late February, more than 41,000 people have left Douma, and more than 165,000 - Eastern Ghouta. As many as 250 hostages kept by militants have been released.
The Russian military was providing air cover to Syria’s liberation operation, which had begun on February 19.
Eastern Ghouta, which is home to nearly 400,000 people, fell to multiple militant groups in 2012, months after Syria plunged into crisis. Militants had been using the area to launch incessant rocket attacks on the capital.
Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. The Syrian government says the Israeli regime and its Western and regional allies are aiding Takfiri terrorist groups that are wreaking havoc in the country.
