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Syrian rebels begin Homs evacuation Syrian rebels begin Homs evacuation
(35 minutes later)
Two thousand rebels and civilians are to begin leaving besieged opposition-held districts of Homs city in central Syria on Wednesday under a deal between fighters and the government.Two thousand rebels and civilians are to begin leaving besieged opposition-held districts of Homs city in central Syria on Wednesday under a deal between fighters and the government.
Activists on the ground said two buses arrived in Homs early in the morning to begin the first of the evacuations. Injured people who have been trapped in the Old City and surrounding areas for nearly two years under a tight government siege are to be the first to leave.Activists on the ground said two buses arrived in Homs early in the morning to begin the first of the evacuations. Injured people who have been trapped in the Old City and surrounding areas for nearly two years under a tight government siege are to be the first to leave.
Under the deal, negotiated with the assistance of Iran's ambassador to Damascus, the group will be taken to an opposition-held area in the north of Homs province, according to a rebel negotiator.Under the deal, negotiated with the assistance of Iran's ambassador to Damascus, the group will be taken to an opposition-held area in the north of Homs province, according to a rebel negotiator.
Fighters will be allowed to withdraw with light weapons, and one rocket launcher will be permitted on every bus used for the evacuation. The deal will be guaranteed by the United Nations and Iran.Fighters will be allowed to withdraw with light weapons, and one rocket launcher will be permitted on every bus used for the evacuation. The deal will be guaranteed by the United Nations and Iran.
The Homs governor, Talal al-Barazi, said last-minute preparations were still being made but the operation "will take place today, God willing".The Homs governor, Talal al-Barazi, said last-minute preparations were still being made but the operation "will take place today, God willing".
The deal was reached as part of an exchange for an unknown number of hostages being held by rebels in the northern city of Aleppo. Opposition fighters will also allow aid into two Shia-majority towns, Nubol and Zahraa, which are under rebel siege.The deal was reached as part of an exchange for an unknown number of hostages being held by rebels in the northern city of Aleppo. Opposition fighters will also allow aid into two Shia-majority towns, Nubol and Zahraa, which are under rebel siege.
On Tuesday UN workers cleared roads of landmines in preparation for the withdrawal. On Tuesday, UN workers cleared roads of landmines in preparation for the withdrawal.
The evacuated areas will be turned over to the government, which will then have control of all but one major area of Homs, once dubbed the capital of the revolution. The district of Waer will remain under opposition control for now, but negotiations are under way for a similar deal to that being implemented in the Old City. The evacuated areas will be turned over to the government, which will then have control of all but one major area of Homs, once considered the capital of the revolution. The district of Waer will remain under opposition control, but negotiations are under way for a similar deal to that being implemented in the Old City.
The Old City and surrounding rebel-held areas have been under a tight government siege for nearly two years. This year around 1,400 people were evacuated from the districts under a UN and Red Crescent operation. But a group of fighters and civilians, including those with injuries who were unable to reach evacuation points, remained behind. They faced increasingly tough conditions, with little food or medicine and the start of a government offensive to try to retake the areas. The Old City and surrounding rebel-held areas have been under government siege for nearly two years. This year, about 1,400 people were evacuated from the districts under a UN and Red Crescent operation. But a group of fighters and civilians, including those with injuries who were unable to reach evacuation points, remained behind. They faced increasingly tough conditions, with little food or medicine and the start of a government offensive to try to retake the areas.
More than 150,000 people have been killed in Syria since the beginning of the uprising in March 2011.More than 150,000 people have been killed in Syria since the beginning of the uprising in March 2011.