On July 8, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the Tiger Forces entered the towns of Umm al-Mayadin and al-Tayyibah in the eastern Daraa countryside following a rapid ground attack on radical militants of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
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According to Syrian pro-government activists, the militants in Umm al-Mayadin and al-Tayyibah rejected the evacuation agreement and attempted to sabotage it. However, other FSA groups isolated the radical militants, which allowed the SAA to neutralize them and secure the two towns.
The evacuation agreement was reached on July 6 after a long series of negotiation between Russia and FSA commanders in the eastern Daraa countryside. Under the agreement, all FSA fighters should hand over their weapons to the SAA and accept a reconciliation deal or withdraw.
So far, the vast majority of displaced civilians have returned to their homes in the eastern Daraa countryside thanks to the agreement. According to Syrian opposition sources a small percentage of civilians are still taking shelter along the border with Jordan. An issue that will likely be solved within days.
