Syrian rebels begin to leave last Eastern Ghouta bastion, state media says

Two buses carrying the first group of Jaish al-Islam fighters and their families left the city of Douma, the last rebel bastion in Eastern Ghouta, on route for northern Syria on Monday, Syrian state TV reported.

Four buses were due to head to the northern city of Jarablus and al-Bab, which are largely held by pro-Turkey rebels, under a deal reportedly reached between the Syrian government and the rebel group.

While both Syrian state media and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights have reported about the evacuation, Jaish al-Islam has repeatedly denied that such a deal was in place and that Monday's evacuation only concerned "humanitarian cases", while observers reported that leadership of the rebel faction was split on how to proceed.

The surrender deal, brokered by Russia, would mark a major defeat for opposition forces and an end to a bloody six-week government offensive that has killed hundreds of civilians and forced tens of thousands from their homes in Eastern Ghouta.

Successive evacuation deals were reached with rebel forces in parts of the enclave, with more than 45,000 fighters and civilians bussed out in recent weeks, according to figures provided by state news agency SANA.

A group of stranded fighters from another rebel group, Failaq al-Rahman, left Douma on Sunday, state media said.

Opposition sources say Jaish al-Islam officials have been desperately trying to strike a deal that would bring Russian military police into Douma, and let the group keep a role in maintaining internal security but under the state's overall jurisdiction.

The government assault since 18 February has killed more than 1,600 civilians, the Observatory says, and devastated entire neighbourhoods.

The retaking of Douma would mark the complete capture of Eastern Ghouta, a rebel bastion on the outskirts of Damascus, and be a major milestone in President Bashar al-Assad's efforts to regain control of territory seized by rebel factions during Syria's seven-year civil war.

Backed by Russia, Assad's forces have scored a series of victories over rebel forces in recent years, often through campaigns of siege, aerial bombardment and ground offensives that have drawn widespread international condemnation.

Syria's conflict has killed more than 350,000 people since 2011 and spiralled into a complex war involving world powers.