WATCH: Dust Settles in Liberated Syrian Cities - Russia Helps Refugees Return to Damascus
Civilians return to the cities that Syrian troops have freed from the extremists. People in need receive humanitarian assistance from the Russian military as it delivers humanitarian cargo.
Aleksandr Bilibov reports from a Damascus suburb.
The town of Jobar, a suburb in the northeast of Damascus, was freed by the Syrian Army yesterday. This is the first time the journalists are here. We move carefully since the area hasn't been fully demined yet. 'Surprises' from terrorists are everywhere. There's a Qur’an in one of the houses; it has visible wiring. One touch is enough for it to explode. Streets aren't much better.
"An IED was discovered right here, it was intended for our soldiers".
This is on the ground, while underground there are endless tunnels that stretch for kilometers. There's practically an entire city underneath Jobar. It has a developed tunnel system, and the tunnels are of great size; they can easily fit three people standing side by side. The ceilings are about 2 meters high, which was done deliberately so that the militants could transfer their ammo and large troops here. The terrorists would wait for attacks by the Syrian Army here. They didn't go to the surface without a need; they monitored the grounds remotely using modern digital technologies.
For instance, this is a mobile video camera that the terrorists would install on the road. This way they could see all the movements of the Syrian Army, including heavy equipment. So, when a tank would approach, the militants knew exactly where to strike.
The battle for Jobar took over 5 years. Today, there are no terrorists left here.
Ali Raid, a Syrian Army officer: "Jobar is an important strategic location. We were finally able to free it with the help of our Russian friends. Right now, we just want to bring back a peaceful life, give people the opportunity to return to their homes".
Arbin is another Damascus suburb. Civilians have already begun returning here. The equipment is clearing the roads of debris, and people can get food and water in the center of town. An ambulance is nearby, acting as a pharmacy where people can get the most essential medicine.
"A lot of people get medical care here; we have an ambulance here. A lot of people need to go to the hospital, so we take them there".
A mobile paramedic's station is located right here. There are many children here, including newborns, and they get their shots here.
Yuri Evtushenko, the Head of the Russian Reconciliation Center in Syria: "In the freed towns of Arbin, Zamalka, Ein Tarma, Jobar, the government is clearing the areas of explosives. They're also rebuilding the infrastructure so that civilians can return here sooner".
As of today, over 40,000 people have returned to the Eastern Ghouta region. Upon the agreement that was achieved by the Russian Reconciliation Center, banned militant groups and their families will also leave another Damascus suburb — Douma. Over 2,000 militants along with their wives and children have already left Douma.
Aleksandr Bilibov, Mikhail Vitkin, Mikhail Emelin, Eastern Ghouta, Syria.