(Zaman Al Wasl)- The negotiation committee in the besieged town of Douma said Thursday's talks with Russia were positive, lessing fears of an imminent offensive by regime army and allied militias on the last rebel-held town in Eastern Ghouta suburbs.
Thursday’s negotiations were fruitful, the committee said in statement.
The main demands of Douma rebels were to cease any hostilities by regime until the end of negotiations. The committee assured that a common ground was built and the outcomes will be good, urging people to be more patient.
During the week, the regime army has been preparing to launch a “huge” operation against unless the Jaish al-Islam rebel group agrees to hand over the area.
Douma’s fall would seal the rebels’ heaviest defeat since 2016, driving them from their last big stronghold near the capital, and would also carry potent symbolism. The town was the main centre of street protests in the Damascus suburbs against Assad’s rule that ignited the conflict seven years ago.
Backed by Russia and Iran, the regime has repeatedly forced rebels to surrender areas and withdraw to Idlib, where the United Nations describes the conditions faced by hundreds of thousands of displaced opposition supporters as “catastrophic”.
The Jaish al-Islam group said Wednesday it is determined to stay in Douma, where tens of thousands of civilians are surrounded by government forces. The government says it will crush any rebels who do not agree to leave or to live under state rule.
Zaman Al Wasl
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