Army Recaptures Eyn al-Feiga Water Spring in Wadi Barada: Governor
DAMASCUS COUNTRYSIDE, (ST)-The Syrian Arab army managed on Saturday to recapture Eyn al-Feiga Water Spring and the storage facilities in Wadi Barada area in Damascus Countryside.
Governor of Damascus Countryside Alaa Ibrahim told reporters that the Syrian soldiers are now inside Ayn al Fijah Spring area after encircling the terrorists, most of them are affiliated to Jabhat al-Nusra and other foreign-backed armed groups, and eliminating a number of them. He stressed that army engineering units are doing their task of clearing the spring area of explosive devices and mines.
Ibrahim uncovered that a Syrian-Syrian agreement was reached on armed groups’ exist from Ayn al-Feija town.
According to the agreement, gunmen can settle their legal status after turning themselves in to authorities, while the gunmen, who don’t want to surrender, will be allowed to leave Wadi Barada area to Idleb together with their families.
The gunmen’s exit was postponed till Sunday because of weather conditions, the governor said.
Maintenance teams are expected to enter Eyn al-Feiga area tomorrow to fix the damage caused to the water spring pumps and the spring facility as whole, he added, pointing out that maintenance activities may take a month to be completed due to the huge damage.
Ibrahim clarified that the locals of Wadi Barada have played a major role in putting pressure on gunmen as to reach the agreement. They also supported the army’s operation there.
On his part, Minister of Water Resources Nabil al-Hasan said that first, there will be urgent solutions to re-pump water to Damascus and then restoration works will be gradually completed.
Last month, terrorists affiliated to Jabhat al-Nusra blew up a water pipeline in Wadi Barada area in Damascus Countryside and seized Eyn al-Feiga water Spring, the only source of drinking water for Damascus citizens. They also polluted the spring with diesel, thereby, depriving some five million citizens in Damascus from drinking water.
Hamda Mustafa