Approximately 530 Syrian militants from the Al-Waer district of the Syrian city of Homs decided to lay down arms and become unarmed civilians under the deal with local authorities, the Homs Governor Talal Barazi said.
"We, as a government, generally tried to persuade the militants to remain here, but they did not want it and that is why they are leaving. About 530 people will remain: they are laying down arms and will lead a peaceful life. Among them are students and workers. Everyone will return to their places and will have the same rights as the ordinary people," Sputnik cited the governor as saying.
He added that the remaining militants will be transferred to the northern part of Syria alongside their families.
Opposition fighters and their families gather as they prepare to board a bus, ahead of their evacuation from the rebel-held Waer neighbourhood in the central city of Homs on March 18, 2017
The overall process of militant’s withdrawal will take about 50 days, Barazi added.
