The News
Thursday 25 of April 2024

Humanitarian Evacuations Under Way From Besieged Syrian Towns


Syrian Arab Red Crescent on the outskirts of Idlib city  prepare to enter the two besieged Shiite towns of al-Foua and Kefraya to evacuate people,photo: Reuters/Ammar Abdullah
Syrian Arab Red Crescent on the outskirts of Idlib city prepare to enter the two besieged Shiite towns of al-Foua and Kefraya to evacuate people,photo: Reuters/Ammar Abdullah
Areas are blockaded by pro-government forces are Zabadani and Madaya, near the Lebanese border, predominately Shiite and loyal to the government

BEIRUT – The humanitarian evacuation of 250 people from two Syrian towns besieged by pro-government forces and another 250 from two towns blocked off by rebels began Wednesday, coordinated by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.

The towns blockaded by pro-government forces are Zabadani and Madaya, near the Lebanese border. Those blockaded by rebels are al-Foua and Kefraya in the northwestern Idlib province, both predominantly Shiite and loyal to the government.

Some 500 people — including the sick, wounded and their family members — are being evacuated and some urgently need life-saving medical attention, a United Nations official said.

“Nine of them need transfer by ambulance, others are being bussed either to Damascus or Idlib,” another U.N. official in Geneva said.

Smoke rises after an airstrike in the rebel held area of old Aleppo, Syria April 18, 2016. REUTERS/Abdalrhman Ismail/File PhotoFOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
Smoke rises after an airstrike in the rebel held area of old Aleppo, Syria. Photo: Reuters/Abdalrhman Ismail

Jan Egeland, chairman of a U.N. humanitarian task force on Syria, said last week he was disappointed by a slowdown in aid access, largely due to blockages by government-backed forces.

But he voiced hope that the evacuation of 500 people from the four towns would happen this week.

A Syrian Arab Red Crescent car leaving Madaya and Zabadani came under rebel fire earlier Wednesday but there were no casualties, a witness said.

The Lebanese TV station al Mayadeen also reported the Red Crescent convoy had come under rebel fire.

Residents of Madaya and Zabadani will be taken to the rebel-held Syrian town of Idlib, the witness said.

Coaches with Red Crescent markings lined up for inspection before heading to al-Foua and Kefraya, a Reuters witness said.

Pro-opposition TV station Orient News said residents from al-Foua and Kefraya would be taken to the government-controlled city of Latakia and to the Damascus area.

The warring sides agreed a local ceasefire for the four towns in September, but the agreement has not been fully implemented.