Syrian Army touts victory
THE SYRIAN ARMY declared victory in eastern Ghouta Saturday after opposition fighters evacuated most of the area near the capital except for the town of Douma where negotiations are still underway for rebels there to leave or face an all-out government offensive.
The government has given rebels in Douma — the area’s largest town and stronghold of the powerful Army of Islam rebel group — an ultimatum to agree on leaving by late Saturday. Some pro-government news websites reported that the army is massing troops around Douma, adding that the ultimatum may be extended until Sunday.
The army statement came shortly after another group of opposition fighters and their relatives left southern and western parts of Ghouta Saturday afternoon, bringing President Bashar Assad’s forces a step closer to eliminating threats from insurgents groups nearby.