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Syrian civilians and rebels pull out of last opposition-held neighbourhood in Homs Syrian civilians and rebels pull out of last opposition-held neighbourhood in Homs
(34 minutes later)
Hundreds of Syrian civilians and rebels began pulling out of the last ­opposition-held neighbourhood of the city of Homs yesterday as part of a deal that would return the central city to ­government control.Hundreds of Syrian civilians and rebels began pulling out of the last ­opposition-held neighbourhood of the city of Homs yesterday as part of a deal that would return the central city to ­government control.
A few thousand insurgents have been holed up in al-Waer district, which government forces had blockaded for nearly three years, only sporadically allowing in food.A few thousand insurgents have been holed up in al-Waer district, which government forces had blockaded for nearly three years, only sporadically allowing in food.
The governor of Homs, Talal Barazi, said 272 gunmen and 447 civilians left the district in an evacuation presided over by the UN.The governor of Homs, Talal Barazi, said 272 gunmen and 447 civilians left the district in an evacuation presided over by the UN.
Once the evacuation is completed, Homs, once known as “the capital of the revolution,” will return to government control. Once the evacuation is completed, Homs, once known as “the capital of the revolution”, will return to government control.
The deal is similar to one struck in May last year in Homs’ Old City. There, the government assumed control of the quarter after about 2,000 rebels were granted safe passage to opposition areas north of the city. The area was destroyed and thousands of civilians were killed or forced to flee. Rebels surrendered only after they were starved and outgunned.The deal is similar to one struck in May last year in Homs’ Old City. There, the government assumed control of the quarter after about 2,000 rebels were granted safe passage to opposition areas north of the city. The area was destroyed and thousands of civilians were killed or forced to flee. Rebels surrendered only after they were starved and outgunned.
However, officials hope such local deals can be replicated across Syria to create pockets of peace and a climate conducive to peace talks.However, officials hope such local deals can be replicated across Syria to create pockets of peace and a climate conducive to peace talks.