U.S., Britain, Canada set to remove Syrian aid workers

WASHINGTON — U.S. officials say the United States is finalizing plans to remove several hundred Syrian civil defence workers and their families from southwest Syria as Russian-backed government forces close in on the area.

Two officials familiar with the plans said Thursday that the U.S., Britain and Canada are spearheading the departure that would transport members of the White Helmets group to transit camps in neighbouring countries. From there, they will be sent to third countries, including Britain, Germany, the Netherlands and, possibly, Canada, according to the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The officials, and a member of the White Helmets who is due to leave Quneitra province, said the operation appears to be imminent as the Syrian army continues to gain ground in its latest offensive. The White Helmets, who have enjoyed backing from the U.S. and other Allies, are likely to be targeted by Syrian forces as they retake control of the southwest, according to officials. They said planning for the evacuation has been underway for some time but accelerated after last week’s NATO summit in Brussels.

“These are hard hours and minutes,” the White Helmets volunteer in Quneitra said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “This is the worst day of my life. I hope they rescue us before it is too late.”

The evacuation is expected to take place from Quneitra, where the civil defence team is trapped. Quneitra straddles the frontier with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.