Syrian oppositions walk to get into a bus during an evacuation from the al-Waer neighborhood, in the western outskirts of the central city of Homs, Syria on March 18, 2017. ( Stringer - Anadolu Agency ).
HOMS, Syria: The first group of opposition fighters and civilians left the Syrian city of Homs on Saturday under a Russian-backed deal between the opposition and Syrian regime, according to local sources.
Some 1,500 fighters and civilians aboard 40 buses left Waer, the last opposition-held district in Homs, to Jarabulus in northern Syria, the sources said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to media.
More groups of fighters and civilians are expected to leave the district in the next two months.
Waer district has been under a siege by regime forces for four years.
More than 20,000 people have applied to leave the district under the deal, which was concluded on March 13.
At least 12,000 people will be transferred to Aleppo province, 6,200 to Idlib and 2,400 will be relocated in Homs.
