Over 200 Militants Lay Down Arms in Syria’s Homs

“The move by the militants in Homs city was a part of the national reconciliation program and the work on the rehabilitation of 210 former militants who were active in the Homs’ industrial area of Hisya has begun after they laid down their arms,” the source said.

The reconciliation program in Syria, for the militant to turn themselves in, began in 2013. The program stipulates that former militants have the opportunity to resume peaceful life after surrendering their arms to the Syrian army and undergoing rehabilitation process.

The program proved successful when, in 2013, some 1,500 fighters laid down arms in Homs, thus enabling the Syrian army to regain control of the city center.

Since late April, the Syrian air force has been dropping leaflets to invite the militant groups across the Central province of Homs to give up fight.

The militants formerly fighting in the Southern battlefields of the country surrendered to the Syrian government as the forces loyal to the Syrian President Bashar Assad continue gaining ground across the country.

Earlier today, 38 militants laid down their arms and turned themselves in to the Syrian officials as the pro-government forces keep on advancing across Hasaka province.

The militants surrendered to the competent authorities in Qamishli (a Kurdish-majority area in Northeastern Syria) in Hasaka province.

Early March, around 80 militants had also laid down their arms and turned themselves in to the Syrian officials in Damascus.

Also last month, more than 97 militants, formerly operating in Homs province, laid down their arms and turned themselves in to the Syrian officials.

Late February, around 250 militants in the Southern province of Dara’a laid down their arms and turned themselves in to the Syrian officials as the pro-government forces keep on advancing across the country.

Also in the same month, at least 59 militants in two provinces of Damascus and Idlib turned themselves in to the Syrian authorities.

Also, 27 Takfiri militants laid down arms and turned themselves in to the Syrian army in Homs, Hama and Idlib provinces in February.

Reports said also in late December that some 157 wanted militants turned themselves in to the Syrian authorities.

Some 117 wanted persons from Homs surrendered to be pardoned.

Meanwhile, 40 wanted persons from the provinces of Damascus and Hama also turned themselves in to the authorities.

Early in January, 86 wanted persons from Damascus province and Aleppo also gave up fight.

City officials also announced on December 22 that at least 15 militants laid down arms and surrendered to the competent authorities in Aleppo after the army and the country’s popular forces’ victories across the province.

Until last year, most surrendering cases happened in Homs and Damascus provinces, but now a growing number of militants lay down arms across the country. As the army scores more wins across Syria more militants lay down arms to save their lives.

Some 116 Takfiri militants turned themselves in to the Syrian army in Homs province on December 20.

On December 12, some 20 wanted Takfiri terrorists in Hama province gave up fight and turned themselves in to the authorities to enjoy the general amnesty issued by President Bashar Al-Assad that has been in place for the last several years.

Some 200 wanted militants from Zabadani region and Madaya in Damascus province also surrendered earlier in December.

“The Syrian government has vowed to pardon all those who lay down arms voluntarily and it has remained loyal to its pledge so far, and this has encouraged us to give up fight, specially considering that the government troops, National Defense Forces (NDF) and Hezbollah who also enjoy the air backup of the Syrian and Russian air forces has gained momentum in its battlefield victories,” one of those who surrendered in Damascus on December 5 said.

President Bashar Assad’s government freed 270 militants within the framework of the country’s reconciliation plan on December 11.