Syria: Over 50,000 Residents Return to Guta Oriental Homes

The Center for Reconciliation in Syria say tens of thousands of displaced Damascus residents returned to Guta Oriental.

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Military chief Yuri Evtushenko disclosed that more than 50,000 people have gone back to the region, though Russian defence minister says “for the moment, 55,262 people have returned to their homes.”

TASS cited the ministry explaining the unusual dynamic. The defence chief said that there were towns in the area, that is still being overrun with militants, were considered “liberated.”

Reports are that repairs to damaged infrastructure, including power and water systems are currently being addressed. Additionally, humanitarian and medical aid is being administered to citizens.

Evtushenko has urged the militants to relinquish control of Guta Oriental and hand over control of Duma to the Syrian government.

More than 40,000 fighters and their relatives withdrew from Guta Oriental at the beginning of the month, when a “humanitarian pause” was negotiated. The military chief said, according to Sputnik, that those individuals have moved to the demilitarized Idlib area.

The UN Security Council 2401 resolution established a 30-day minimum ceasefire to address the humanitarian needs of the people.