East Ghouta Terrorists Collapsing?
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org – Home – Stephen Lendman)
Aided by Russian airpower, Syrian forces continue liberating East Ghouta areas controlled by US-supported terrorists – around half the enclave freed from them, others on the defensive, fighting a losing battle.
Going is slow to protect trapped civilians. Syria and Russia are wrongfully blamed for civilians killed by US-supported terrorists and Pentagon-led terror-bombing.
US frustration over losing the battle for Syria shows in State Department press briefings.
On Friday, spokeswoman Heather Nauert blamed Russia and Syria for the deaths of hundreds of East Ghouta residents massacred by US-supported terrorists.
“They need to stop,” she roared, ignoring a vital mission permitted under Security Council Resolution 2401.
Washington, Turkey and US-supported terrorists alone continue breaching it, not Russian and Syrian forces.
On Friday, 13 East Ghouta terrorist fighters agreed to leave the enclave via the Russian-established humanitarian corridor, Russian General Yuri Yevtushenko saying:
After “lengthy talks…an agreement has been achieved on an exit of a first group of militants from the Eastern Ghouta de-escalation zone.”
They surrendered their weapons and left, given safe passage to Idlib province, a positive sign.
“The negotiation process involving the Syrian government will be continued regarding the exit of other militants,” Yevtushenko added.
Heavy fighting to liberate the enclave continues, including daily shelling of Damascus residential areas by East Ghouta terrorists.
On Thursday, Yevtushenko said calls to the Russian reconciliation center in Syria hotline show desperation – East Ghouta residents “tired of the tyranny by the militants…complain(ing) about the unbearable conditions and are eager to flee the area, even bypassing the established humanitarian corridor,” adding:
“The illegal armed groups have intensified repressive measures against the population and increased the intensity of shelling of the Mukhayyam – al-Wafideen checkpoint.”
“At the moment nobody from the enclave was able to reach the checkpoint.” Some aid got in safely, far more needed. “Humanitarian assistance…will be resumed after the situation stabilizes.”
“Some representatives of illegal armed groups stepped up attempts to establish contacts with the Syrian government forces and the Russian center for Syrian reconciliation in order to discuss the issue of separation from the banned terrorist organization Jabhat al-Nusra” – another positive sign.
Social media video show large numbers of civilians in liberated parts of East Ghouta and others still trapped waving Syrian flags, chanting anti-terrorist slogans, expressing support for Damascus and government forces.
According to AMN news, “the Syrian Army should make major headway in the East Ghouta in the coming hours, as the Islamist defenses collapse” – why frustration is evident in Washington.
Separately, Syrian UN envoy Bashar al-Jaafari accused Turkey of giving safe haven to “tens of thousands of terrorists,” opening its border so they can “enter Syria,” adding:
Ankara is flagrantly breaching Security Council Resolution 2401, calling for ceasefire nationwide through late March, except for operations against ISIS, al-Nusra, al-Qaeda and elements connected to them.
Daily US-led terror-bombing also continues illegally, civilians massacred on the phony pretext of combating ISIS Washington supports.
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