BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:50 P.M.) – The rebel forces in southern Damascus have reneged on a deal that would surrender four towns to the Syrian government in exchange for safe passage to the Idlib Governorate.
Initially, the rebel commanders agreed to terms with the Syrian government’s reconciliation committee; however, as the days grew closer to their surrender of these towns, they issued a statement rejecting the terms.
The towns under the agreement to be surrendered to the Syrian government were Beit Sahm, Aqraba, Yalda, and Babila; these were areas were part of a two year long reconciliation agreement before negotiations for their surrender began at the end of 2016.
In response to the rebel refusal to surrender, the Syrian Arab Army promised to restart military operations in southern Damascus in order to pressure the militants into accepting the deal.
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