Hundreds of Gunmen Leave Damascus Barzeh and Tishreen Neighborhoods

DAMASCUS, (ST)- The process of evacuating the second batch of gunmen and some of their families from the Damascene districts of Barzeh and Tishreen concluded on Friday. The process came in implementation of an agreement aiming at putting an end to armed presence in the districts and at paving the way for the state institutions to resume work there.

 Damascus Governor Bisher al-Sabban told reporters that the second phase of the reconciliation agreement in Barzeh and Tishreen neighborhoods has ended with the exit of 1246 people including 718 gunmen from the two areas.

SANA reporter said that a number of buses carrying the second batch of gunmen who refused the reconciliation agreement in the neighborhoods in addition to some members of their families started leaving Barzeh towards the country’s northern countryside.  

According to the reporter, the process of evacuating the gunmen and their families will continue till the entire neighborhood is empty of gunmen and weapon, noting that gunmen who chose to stay in the area will get their legal status settled in accordance with the Amnesty Decree No 15 for 2016.

Last Monday, the first batch of gunmen and their families left Barzeh towards the northern countryside of the country.

Hamda Mustafa