Militants in more regions join peace agreement with Syrian Army

Militants in 17 regions in Hama Province handed over their arms to relevant officials and joined the nationwide peace agreement with the Army troops, the Russian Defense Ministry announced in its latest report on Sunday.

The Russian ministry said that representatives of militants in 17 more regions in Hama Province have endorsed peace with the Syrian Army in the last 24 hours, adding that the total number of towns, villages and regions that have thus far joined the nationwide reconciliation plan stands at 2,386 now.

Dissident-affiliated websites reported earlier this month that reconciliation talks were underway between Damascus and representatives of militant groups over affiliation of more regions in Eastern Qalamoun region to the nationwide peace plan.

The news websites reported that preliminary agreement was reached for the implementation of a peace plan in Eastern Qalamoun after the representatives of militants, the Syrian Army commanders and a sum of civilians met in the town of al-Rahibeh.

The websites said that the agreement was comprised of eight paragraphs, including exit of arms and military hardware from al-Rahibeh, demilitarization of the region, reviewing militants' pardoning and return of state institutions to the region.

EA