First buses with Jaish al-Islam militants and members of their families left the Syrian city of Douma in Eastern Ghouta, the Russian Defense Ministry said Sunday.
Syrian state-run news agency SANA said two buses carrying Jaish al-Islam terrorists and their families had left the city en route to terrorist-held areas in northern Syria in an arrangement expected to take several days.
On Sunday, the authorities held talks with the leaders of Jaish al-Islam, during which agreements were reached on the ceasefire, disarmament of the group and resumption of the operation to withdraw militants from Douma.
Almost simultaneously, a first batch of freed hostages held by the terrorists in Douma arrived at Syrian army-controlled crossing, state television showed. They received a euphoric welcome from hundreds of relatives waiting for them before being whisked away to a reception centre.
After the Russian-sponsored deal, Al-Qaida-linked White Helmets claimed Syria's government forces had used toxic gas on Douma, the last remaining terrorist foothold in the suburbs of Damascus.
Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria said that a number of Western countries were trying to hinder this operation via allegations of chemical weapons use by Syrian government forces.
It is planned to withdraw up to 8,000 terrorists and about 40,000 of their relatives from Duma.
The website of the Russian Defense Ministry is broadcasting the operation.
