Evacuations begin from besieged pro-regime Syria towns

SUWAGHIYA, Syria: Buses began evacuating fighters and civilians from two besieged pro-regime towns in Syria early on Thursday morning under a deal that will allow thousands to leave after years of encirclement.
An AFP correspondent counted 20 buses driving out of Fuaa and Kafraya, the last two remaining towns under siege in the war-torn country, where the use of the medieval tactic had become notorious.
Both militiamen and regular civilians could be seen on board the vehicles, as well as stacks of personal belongings.
The evacuations come as part of a deal reached on Tuesday between regime ally Russia and rebel-backer Turkey, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
All residents – about 6,900 people including fighters and civilians – are expected to be ferried out, said the Britain-based monitor.
In exchange, the Syrian goverment is expected to release hundreds of prisoners from its detention centres.
The towns came under siege in 2015 as rebels and jihadists overran the surrounding province of Idlib, cutting off access to food and medicine.
Starting early Wednesday, a series of barricades on the road leading into the town were removed to let dozens of vehicles in, an AFP correspondent there said.
State news agency SANA also reported that buses and ambulances had entered the towns under the deal. — AFP