Homs Old City ‘Safe’ Thanks to Syrian Arab Army – Governor

HOMS,(ST)_The old city of Homs has become safe and totally clean of gunmen and arms thanks to the heroism and sacrifices of the Syrian Arab army, Talal al-Barazi declared on Friday.

Homs governor added that the locals of al-Hamedeyeh, al-Warsheh, Bestan al-Dewan, and Bab Hod quarters in the old city have been allowed to inspect their properties and shops after the engineering units of the Syrian Arab army completed sweeping the quarters for explosives.

“The engineering units are now sweeping Joret al-Shayyah and al-Qosor quarters for explosives,” the governor said, noting that local committees have been formed to observe entry and exit of persons to and from the quarters and to assess the damages.

Al-Barazi stressed that the police Station in al-Hamedeyh quarter facilitates the entry of locals to the quarters.

980 persons evacuated

Last night, the governor said that some 980 persons were evacuated from the old city and most of them headed to al-Dar al-Kabira area, to the north of Homs.

He added that 70 kidnapped persons in different areas in Aleppo and Lattakia were freed under the reconciliation process . “Five children and 17 women were among those who were freed.”

Al-Barazi confirmed that the directives of the leadership, government’s care and local society’s initiatives have enhanced reconciliation process.

In the past months, the competent authorities have regularized situations of gunmen from the old city of Homs after they surrendered.

B.Qaddour