DAMASCUS, Sept 2 (NNN-SANA) – A new deal to defuse tension in Daraa province, in southern Syria, went into force yesterday, starting with a number of armed rebels surrendering to the Syrian authorities, according to a war monitor.
A number of armed men from the Daraa al-Balad area started a reconciliation process with the Syrian authorities, handing over their weapons, as part of a new Russian-mediated deal, to end months-long tension in that province.
A centre was opened in the al-Arbaeen neighbourhood for the armed men to hand over their weapons, which will pave the way for the return of the Syrian army and the state institutions to all of Daraa.
Meanwhile, the opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, the Russian-mediated deal went into force yesterday, starting with the entry of Russian forces, along with Syrian security forces to Daraa, to implement the new agreement.
The Britain-based watchdog group said, cautious calm prevailed in Daraa yesterday, as all parties are looking forward to implementing the so-called Russian roadmap, to settle the situation in Daraa.
According to the observatory, the deal was finalised on Tuesday, between dignitaries from Daraa and the Syrian authorities, under Russian mediation.
The tension in Daraa has been escalating for over three months.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), recently placed the number of internally displaced people in al-Balad area and surrounding areas in Daraa province at 38,600, including almost 15,000 women and over 20,400 children.
The Syrian army entered Daraa in 2018, after the rebels there were dislodged to the rebel-held areas in the north-western province of Idlib. However, tension continued in Daraa, with attacks taking place occasionally.– NNN-SANA
