Russia to let hurt opposition fighters leave Eastern Ghouta

By Adham Kako and Mohamed Misto

EASTERN GHOUTA, Syria

Jaysh al-Islam, an armed opposition group in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta district, says it has struck an agreement with Russia to evacuate injured group members from the besieged Damascus suburb.

According to a Monday statement released by the group, Russia will allow injured Jaysh al-Islam fighters to leave opposition-held parts of Eastern Ghouta under the supervision of Russian and UN personnel.

On Feb. 24, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2401, which calls for a month-long ceasefire in Eastern Ghouta to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Three days later, Russia announced its own cease-fire initiative calling for daily, five-hour “humanitarian pauses” in the opposition-held district.

Home to some 400,000 civilian residents, Eastern Ghouta has remained the target of a crippling siege by the Syrian regime -- of which Russia is a major ally -- for the last five years.

The regime has stepped up its siege in recent months, preventing the delivery of badly-needed humanitarian aid and leaving thousands of local residents in need of medical treatment.

By Adham Kako and Mohamed Misto

EASTERN GHOUTA, Syria

Jaysh al-Islam, an armed opposition group in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta district, says it has struck an agreement with Russia to evacuate injured group members from the besieged Damascus suburb.

On Feb. 24, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2401, which calls for a month-long ceasefire in Eastern Ghouta to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Three days later, Russia announced its own cease-fire initiative calling for daily, five-hour “humanitarian pauses” in the opposition-held district.

Home to some 400,000 civilian residents, Eastern Ghouta has remained the target of a crippling siege by the Syrian regime -- of which Russia is a major ally -- for the last five years.

The regime has stepped up its siege in recent months, preventing the delivery of badly-needed humanitarian aid and leaving thousands of local residents in need of medical treatment.