Syrian rebel group begins to leave last bastion in eastern Ghouta

The move is the first such withdrawal of Failaq al Rahman fighters from besieged Douma.

A group of Syrian rebel fighters began on Sunday to leave their last bastion in eastern Ghouta to head to insurgent-held Idlib in northwestern Syria, state media said.

Damaged buildings are seen in the besieged town of Douma, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria, February 25. (Reuters Photo)

The move is the first such withdrawal of Failaq al Rahman fighters from besieged Douma, where the dominant rebel group Jaish al Islam is still negotiating a deal with Russia over surrender terms that gives them the option of leaving the enclave or making peace with the Syrian authorities.

A deal was reached last night by a negotiating committee to evacuate wounded Jaish al Islam civilians and fighters to northwestern Syria, but it was not clear if it was part of a broader deal that includes in later stages the pullout of fighters.