Syria: Rebel fighters agree to ceasefire, evacuation from Harasta March 21 /update 7

Event

Ahrar Al-Sham, a Syrian rebel-Islamist militant organization, has agreed to a ceasefire in Harasta (Eastern Ghouta) in exchange for guarantees of safe evacuation and passage from the area to opposition-controlled Idlib province, according to Hezbollah media sources on Wednesday, March 21. Some 1500 Ahrar Al-Sham fighters and 6000 family members will reportedly leave the Harasta area in the coming days, beginning on Thursday, March 22. Despite the agreement in Harasta, and the recently enacted UN ceasefire that technically remains in effect across the country, continued fighting is expected elsewhere in Eastern Ghouta in the coming days.

Context

The Ghouta area is one of the last strongholds of Syrian opposition fighters in the Damascus region. Tens of thousands of people have fled Eastern Ghouta since the Syrian government forces began to escalate their bombardment of the area on February 18. As of March 21, Syrian government and allied forces have taken control approximately 70 percent of territory formerly controlled by rebel forces in Eastern Ghouta.

According to the UN Security Council, the agreed-upon 30-day ceasefire - which entered into force on February 24 - remains in effect across Syria, except in places where armed forces are fighting the Islamic State (IS), Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (Al-Nusra Front), and Al-Qa'ida-allied militants, among other designated terror groups. Despite the official ceasefire, numerous violations have been reported.

Advice

Due to extremely poor security conditions, Western governments generally advise against all travel to Syria, with some banning travel to the country. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to any travel to Syria.