According to opposition sources, an important meeting was set to be held on Wednesday between the Syrian government and militant groups with the aim of reaching a reconciliation agreement in the strategic town of Jayroud in eastern Qalamoun.
Free Syrian Army (FSA) groups had allegedly rejected the deployment of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) in the town along with several other demands from the Syrian government.
Opposition activist Ammar Dkak stated that the negotiations which began last June have still been ongoing under Russian supervision and that the Russian side has provided several conditions to reach a reconciliation agreement in the city of Jayroud.
Russian representatives were also involved in the meeting. Russia and the Syrian government had offered terms including the retreat of all militants unwilling to reconcile in the Sharqi mountains and Batra’ region with their small and medium weapons. Amnesty would be granted to all militants willing to participate in the reconciliation and government institutions will resume their operation inside the town.
Commander of Ahmad Abdo Forces Anas Dahla said that the opposition does not mind reaching an agreement that avoids further clashes and destruction though with the condition that their forces are to remain in the administrative boundaries of the East Qalamoun cities and towns. This means is that the local opposition is not against evacuating the cities of Eastern Qalamoun as long as they can maintain presence in the area.
The Syrian government is working diplomatically to end the militant presence in the Eastern Qalamoun areas of Jayroud, Ruhaybah, Dumeir, Nasiriyah, and Al-Atnah. However, presence of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham elements in eastern Qalamoun is considered the main barrier to achieving a full deal for all the towns.
