More militants leaving last bastion in Syrian city of Homs

A second group of militants and their families are leaving the last opposition-held neighborhood in the western Syrian city of Homs under a deal signed last year with the Damascus government.

a new round of evacuations from Homs’ al-Waer neighborhood started on Monday, involving 466 people — including 129 militants.

The buses carrying the evacuees were escorted by Syrian security forces and Russian military police. Russia has been offering military support to the Syrian government in its fight against violent extremism.

Provincial Governor Talal Barrazi said earlier that the militants were granted safe passage out of Homs, located 162 kilometers north of the capital, Damascus, under a deal signed on March 13.

Those residents who remain in the city and who renounce violence can benefit from amnesty granted by President Bashar al-Assad, he added.