First batch of militants and civilians evacuated from Quneitra province

The evacuation of the first batch of militants and their families from the southwest province of Quneitra began on Friday, as buses transported them through the Jaba crossing to northern Syria’s Idlib province.

According to Syrian government news agency SANA, 55 buses left the Um Batina village through the Jaba crossing.

The operation was part of a deal struck between the government and opposition forces on Thursday, which stipulates for the Syrian Arab Army to return to the area and for the militants who reject the deal, it guaranteed a safe passage to Syria’s opposition-held north-western Idlib province.