Saraya Ahl al-Sham Rebels Evacuated from Arsal en Route to Syria
Buses carrying Saraya Ahl al-Sham rebels and displaced Syrians took off from east Arsal heading to Syria's eastern al-Qalamoun, the National News Agency reported on Monday.
According to reports, the vehicles are transporting around 360 rebels and many displaced Syrians.
Thirty four buses transporting hundreds of Saraya Ahl al-Sham Brigades' gunmen and their families left Lebanon towards the Syrian territories, a communiqué by the General Security indicated Monday.
Patrols from the security agency convoyed the departing buses, in coordination with the Lebanese Red Cross.
"The General Security's General Directorate confirms the completion of the departure of gunmen who had occupied parts of the Lebanese soil on the outskirts of Arsal, following negotiations the Directorate had made with the concerned sides," the communiqué added.
Hizbullah's War Media outlet said the vehicles will head to Syria's town of Flita then to al-Ruhaiba in eastern al-Qalamoun in Damascus countryside.
Hizbullah also said the vehicles took the same path that was taken by vehicles that transported former al-Qaida affiliate al-Nusra Front militants from a restive border area in the outskirts of Arsal early in August.
The agreement deal to evacuate the militants was supposed to take place on Saturday, but it was delayed due to “logistical issues” related to the means of transport.
As part of the deal between Hizbullah, the Lebanese negotiator General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim, and the rebel group, the fighters are supposed to head to the government-held town of Ruhaiba, about 50 kilometers northeast of the Syrian capital Damascus where they will benefit from an amnesty by the regime and return to normal life.
The evacuation deal follows a military offensive by Hizbullah fighters and Syrian troops during which they captured border areas between the two countries and left hundreds of Nusra fighters besieged in a small rugged mountainous area.
The fighting ended with a ceasefire and an exchange deal that saw the release of three Hizbullah hostages captured by Nusra.
Source: Naharnet
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