Syrian regime forces, accompanied by Russian military police, on Saturday entered new towns in the Daraa countryside, south of Syria. They kickstarted the implementation of a settlement agreement proposed by Russia.
In one of the school buildings of the Saham el-Golan town in the Daraa governorate, Syrian regime forces set up a center for settling the status of fugitives in the region.
The center was set up after local leaders and negotiation committee members reached a deal with the regime’s security committee and Russia on Thursday.
According to informed sources, wanted civilians and army deserters in the area have headed to the center to have their status settled. Many have also turned in their light and medium individual weapons.
The deal starts by covering the towns of Saham al-Golan, Heit, Jalin, al-Muzayriyah, and Beit Ara then moves to include other villages in the area.
After settling the status of individuals wanted by the regime and rebels handing over their weapons, the deal stipulates allowing regime forces, other than the elite Fourth Armored Division, and Russian police forces to search some homes in the area.
The agreement also includes the withdrawal of the Fourth Armored Division by the end of this week, provided that the status of wanted individuals is settled.
A member of the central negotiating committees in the western countryside of Daraa told Asharq Al-Awsat that it had been agreed with Russia and the regime’s security committee for withdrawing the Fourth Armored Division and Syrian army’s reinforcements that had recently entered the western countryside of Daraa.
Taking all the above into consideration, the settlement will be implemented across the entire western countryside.
While the Syrian regime agreed to withdraw its last reinforcements sent to the area, it refused to dismantle the barracks and military points that existed before the war broke out in 2011.
