8 May 2018 09:58

Peaceful life restoring in Syria's E. Ghouta, clean-up efforts under way - Russian military

DOUMA (Syria). May 8 (Interfax) - More than 64,000 civilians have returned to populated localities in Syria's Eastern Ghouta after Syrian government forces liberated these areas from Islamist illegal armed units, the Russian center for reconciliation of the opposing sides in Syria told reporters.

"More than 64,000 residents have returned to Eastern Ghouta after it was freed from militants. The process of restoring peaceful life there is ongoing," the center said.

Repair and rebuilding efforts and also measures to clear up the roads and remove debris are continuing in Eastern Ghouta.

In addition to that, a process to persuade members of illegal armed units to hand in their weapons is under way with the assistance of the Russian center for reconciliation. In particular, Jaysh al-Islam group militants leaving the southern parts of Damascus have surrendered 1,200 small arms. More than 5,000 Islamists voluntarily laid down weapons in Eastern Qalamoun. Militants are also continuing to hand in weapons and military hardware to the legitimate government in the Homs de-escalation area.