DAMASCUS, Sept 10 (NNN-SANA) – Thousands of people started returning to their homes in Syria’s southern province of Daraa yesterday, following the army’s entry to the formerly rebel-held areas.
The army entered the al-Balad area in Daraa and hoisted the Syrian flag, following the rebels, who rejected to reconcile with the army, evacuation to the rebel-held areas in northern Syria, it said.
Authorities in Daraa removed roadblocks and opened up roads for the return of people to their homes, as bomb squads combed areas previously taken by the rebels, it added.
The entry of the army to the al-Balad area is part of a Russian-mediated agreement to end months-long tension in Daraa.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) recently placed the number of internally displaced people in Daraa province, as a result of the recent tension, 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 northwestern province of Idlib. However, tension continued in Daraa, with attacks taking place occasionally.– NNN-SANA
