Hundreds of armed militants lay down weapons in Syria’s Tafas

Hundreds of armed militants have handed over their weapons to the Syrian Army in the town of Tafas in southwestern Dara’a Province under a reconciliation agreement with the government.

Russia’s Sputnik news agency reported on Saturday that the militants laid down their homemade projectiles and anti-tank missiles as well as machine guns, Kalashnikov rifles and ammunition.

Units of the Syrian army entered Tafas on Saturday afternoon for the first time in eight years, under the reconciliation agreement that would see militants give up their weapons and return to normal life.

Syria’s official SANA news agency said the process to settle the status of gunmen, wanted individuals and military deserters had also begun in Tafas as part of the government’s efforts to restore security and stability. 

Army units, it said, prepared to redeploy in different parts of Tafas in a bid to restore services and repair damage to the town.

Hamzeh Hammam, Head of the Reconciliation Committee in Dara’a, told Sputnik that a total of 447 people had their status settled, 371 of whom were armed wanted men and 76 were draft dodgers.

After handing over their weapons, the gunmen pledge not to do anything that will spark chaos and terrorism in Syria. In exchange, they receive a document and have their names removed from a security list.

ME