Illustrative image, by the SANA
The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) evacuated hundreds of civilians, mostly women and children, from the ISIS-held pocket in the middle Euphrates River Valley on November 30 in coordination with Russian forces, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) revealed on December 6.
The humanitarian operation was reportedly carried out through the al-Salihiyah crossing on the Euphrates River.
On the same day, the SAA and Russian forces evacuated hundreds of women and children from the of Idlib through a crossing near the town of Abu al-Duhur. The northern governorate is controlled by the former branch of al-Qaeda in Syria, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
“The authorities welcomed the displaced civilians and provided them with food supplies and medical care then transferred them to their villages and town,” the SANA’s reporter said.
The evacuation of these civilians will facilitate the ongoing efforts to counter ISIS and HTS. A similar approach was adopted in central and southern Syria before liberating large areas there, such as the region of Eastern Ghouta and the governorate of Daraa.
