23:43 – Syria: beginning of the evacuation of the rebels of Deraa, ex-stronghold of the revolt

Several hundred rebels and civilians from the city of Deraa were evacuated Sunday to northern Syria, more than seven years after the beginning of the uprising against the regime in this symbolic region, now in the hands of Damascus.

A few hours after these evacuations, Syria accused its historic enemy, Israel, of supporting these rebels by bombing a military site in Aleppo, in the north of the country, which would be a rare incursion by the Jewish state. in northern Syria

The evacuations provided for in the July 6 agreement between the regime and rebel groups through Russia, a major ally in Damascus, began around midday.

Several hundred fighters and some of their relatives boarded 15 buses that left the badembly area, an AFP correspondent reported.

"My heart is torn to pieces, may God reward us, what more can I say?" Said Huzayfa Halawa, a 28-year-old rebel fighter evacuated.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH) reported on Sunday the evacuation of 430 people between civilians and combatants in the city of Deraa and the province, much less than the 1.400 provided for in

"There are still empty buses," Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Observatory, said,

– Excavations and inspections –

State television confirmed soon after noon "the beginning of the transfer of the terrorists who refused the (political) settlement from the city center of Deraa to the north of the country", using the terminology of the regime to designate all rebels.

At the parking place of Buses, women and children, part of the procession, carried bags and suitcases. "The men were searched by (military) Russian, while the women were inspected by women of the Syrian regime," according to the correspondent of AFP.

Buses arriving in the morning were parked on the road to Sajna, a former demarcation line that was opened a few days after the evacuation of embankments by regime forces.

According to Rami Abdel Rahmane, the buses then headed to the outskirts of the city, for a new search before the final green light to reach the province of Idleb.

This transfer concerns the rebels and civilians who refused the agreement of "reconciliation "of July 6, which is a de facto capitulation for insurgent groups.

The agreement stipulates in parallel the disarmament of rebel groups and a return of state institutions in areas beyond the control of Damascus. 19659002] – Disarmament –

High symbol of the revolt against Bashar al-Assad in 2011, the province of Deraa fell into the purse of the regime after three weeks of a lightning offensive that bent the rebel and the killing of 150 civilians.

Parallel to their evacuation, the Syrian rebels continue Sunday the operation of handing over their heavy weapons in the city of Deraa, in accordance with the agreement sponsored by Moscow.

official agency Sana said that "armed groups in the center of (the city of) Deraa continue to deliver heavy weapons to the Syrian army", publishing in support photos of tanks and guns that would belong to the rebels .

The handover of heavy and medium artillery should pave the way for total control by the government forces of this chief town, where a national flag has already been hoisted on Thursday as a victory.

Sana also reports the rebels' release of five men they handed over to government authorities

– Qunitra under fire –

On another front, regime forces launched bombardment before dawn on Sunday against the strategic province of Quneitra, next to that of Deraa, taking control of a first locality, according to the OSDH.

This sensitive province, controlled to 70% by the rebels, adjoins the line of demarcation on the plateau of the Golan, mostly occupied and annexed by Israel.

"The bombings have continued since 03:00 am (00:00 GMT)," Abdel Rahman told AFP.

"At least four raids and some 850 missiles and shells were launched against several localities while fierce fighting continues on the ground, "he added, reporting the deaths of 20 regime fighters and 17 rebels.

This operation could augur the beginning of the battle of Quneitra, according to OSDH director, risks having humanitarian fallout, while the aftermath of the offensive against Deraa is still present

"Despite the return of tens of thousands of displaced people to Deraa, (…) 160,000 people are still in Qouneitra, "the UN office for humanitarian affairs (Ocha) said in a statement.

In the north, the Sana agency said in the evening that Israel had "targeted with its missiles one of our military positions north of the Neirab military airport" in Aleppo. "The damage is only material," said Sana.

The Israeli army, which rarely confirms the strikes on Syrian positions, did not comment on the announcement immediately.

In Damascus, Hossein Jaberi -Ansari, a senior adviser to the Iranian foreign minister, was received Sunday by President Bashar al-Assad, hailing the regime's progress in Deraa, according to the Syrian presidency.