"Russian Center for reconciliation of opposing sides in Syria and Syrian army are further holding negotiations with members of outlawed armed groups in Eastern Ghouta on the exit of the civilians from the area. The militants are considering letting several dozens of residents leave the area in exchange for free exit together with their families with guaranteed safety," the spokesman for the Russian center for Syrian reconciliation Maj. Gen. Vladimir Zolotukhin told reporters.
READ MORE: Get Out: WATCH First Group of Militants Leave East Ghouta Amid Ceasefire
The spokesman again called on the militants to leave the area and let the civilians to do so stressing that the safety would be guaranteed.
On Friday, 13 militants left the area via a humanitarian corridor in accordance with the agreement reached owing to the reconciliation center, after which they had been sent to Idlib.
READ MORE: Shelling Near Syria's Eastern Ghouta Putting Aid Convoy at Risk — UN Official
Eastern Ghouta was taken by militants in 2012. According to Syrian Army estimates, there are 10,000-12,000 militants in the region. Despite the recent UN resolution, the combat has not ended, even when the humanitarian pause was in place, the Russian Defense Ministry's center for Syrian reconciliation said. As militants constantly target all exits from the enclave, civilians have been unable to leave the area.
