In presence of Russian Military Police | 4th Division withdraws from eight checkpoints in eastern Ghouta
Rif Dimashq province: Reliable sources have informed SOHR that the “4th Division troops of regime forces have withdrawn from all military checkpoints stationed in Arbein and on the outskirts of Zamalka in Eastern Ghouta in Rif Dimashq. The troops have withdrawn from eight checkpoints in the presence of Russian Military Police and handed them to “Military Intelligence” Division.
On December 12, reliable sources told SOHR that Iran-backed “4th Division troops, led by Maher al-Assad the brother of the Syrian regime president, withdrawn from seven checkpoints stationed in Rif Dimashq, as they withdrew from four checkpoints in the western countryside of Damascus, and withdrew from three checkpoints in Masraba city in Eastern Ghouta.
According to SOHR sources, 4th division has withdrawn to its military barracks from those checkpoints, leaving them to the Military Intelligence Division.
The seven checkpoints are as follow:
• Al-Chiyah checkpoint which is stationed on Zakiah – Khan Al-Shih road.
• Al- Diwan checkpoint on Al-Deir Hebiya – Khan al-Shih road.
• Checkpoint in the orchards of Zakiah town.
• Checkpoint at Al-Deir Hebiya town roundabout.
• Checkpoint at the entrance to Mesaraba city in Eastern Ghouta.
• Two checkpoints on the agricultural road linking the cities of Masraba and Douma.
On November 22, SOHR activists reported that 4th Division troops, led by Maher al-Assad the brother of the Syrian regime president, had begun to withdraw from several positions in Daraa province.
In accordance with the agreements concluded with Russian guarantees, 4th Division troops had begun to withdraw from the vicinity of Daraa al Balad, early November. They also withdrew from their most prominent positions, in west Daraa countryside, towards the capital, Damascus, for curbing Iranian presence in southern Syria.
However, they did not evacuate from a military headquarter in Daraa and a checkpoint on Daraa-Damascus international road.