Syria: Thousands evacuate Eastern Ghouta March 27 /update 8

Event

Thousands of people evacuated rebel-controlled areas in Eastern Ghouta on Tuesday, March 27, as part of a Russia-brokered agreement to evacuate opposition fighters and their families from the Zamalka, Arbin, Ain Tarma, and Jobar areas (formerly controlled by the Faylaq Al-Rahman rebel group) to rebel-controlled Idlib province, and give the areas up to Syrian government forces. Some 7000 people evacuated the abovementioned areas early on Tuesday (local time). As of March 27, Douma remains the last opposition rebel-controlled area in Eastern Ghouta; regime forces were reportedly moving toward Douma on Tuesday as ceasefire negotiations between the Jaysh Al-Islam rebel group and Russian officials continue. Additional fighting is expected in Eastern Ghouta, and elsewhere in Syria, in the coming weeks.

Context

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), some 80,000 people have fled Eastern Ghouta since March 9. As of March 27, at least 70,000 people remained trapped in Douma. The Ghouta area was one of the last strongholds of Syrian opposition fighters in the Damascus region.

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.