Syria : The rebels of Ghouta surrender

                         President Assad


There are reports that President Assad’s forces are advancing into the heart of eastern Ghouta.  This was after negotiating their first surrender deal from rebel forces in the area.

Last night after a day of talks, the two-starred flag of the Syrian government was raised in the town square of Hammouriyeh, in the south of the rebel-controlled pocket.

Pro-Assad media sources reported that heavy gun battles are now under way on the outskirts of the town.

According to our sources, rebel leaders in two other nearby towns are also reported to be in negotiations with the regime.  For now, President Assad’s elite Tiger Forces are launching assaults on the Ghouta pocket from the east, targeting the towns of Misraba, three miles north of Hammouriyeh, and Beit Sawa, a mile to the north.