Anti-terror campaign in Syria's Eastern Ghouta almost over: Russia

Russia says the counter-terrorism operation in Syria's Eastern Ghouta is coming to an end as government forces and allied fighters advance against foreign-backed Takfiri terrorists in the suburban region near Damascus.

"The counter-terrorism operation in East Ghouta is over, only the city of Douma remains under the control of militants," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing in Moscow on Thursday.

She also noted that a significant part of the civilian population had been able to leave Douma through humanitarian corridors organized with the assistance of the Russian military.

"Negotiations are underway on the possibility of a peaceful transfer of control over the city to Syrian government forces," she added.

Additionally, the Russian spokeswoman voiced alarm over Washington's plans to fortify its military presence in Syria, saying that heavy equipment is arriving at the American base in the town of al-Tanf, in Homs Province.

"We are still concerned about reports that the United States and its allies are consolidating their illegal military presence in the territory of sovereign Syria. In particular, heavy military equipment is arriving in the zone established by the United States around the settlements of al-Tanf in the southeast of the country," Zakharova said.

Earlier on Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that almost 5,300 Takfers and their supporters had left the Eastern Ghouta town of Arbin on Wednesday, adding that the evacuees would be relocated to Syria's northwestern Idlib province.

It added that the departure was made possible under agreements reached between the Russian peace and reconciliation center in Syria and the ringleaders of the Faylaq al-Rahman Takfiri terrorist group.

Syria has established humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to leave the operation zone, while Russia has been enforcing daily pauses in fighting to facilitate people's exit.

SS