Local Editor

Thousands of civilians and army soldiers are expected to be freed soon in Syria's Douma, as the Syrian government and militant groups are preparing for a new ceasefire and prisoners swap agreement following the Homs deal, according to al-Manar on Thursday. 

Under a key deal in the city of Homs on May 7th, militants began to evacuate their last footholds, paving way for the formation of a committee named People's Committee for National Reconciliation, which started working to make the same agreement in other parts of Syria.

The head of the reconciliation committee, Jaber Eisa, said on Thursday that they are hoping to make a prisoners swap deal in Douma, by which they could free thousands of people abducted by armed groups.
A number of militants will be freed in return if the deal is forged, Eisa said, according to Arabic language al-Manar TV.

He added that as a first step to build confidence, the militant side is going to free an eight-member abducted family in return for one of the female prisoners the Syrian army is holding.

Eisa added that based on the initial negotiations, 1,500 families as well as three Syrian army commanders who were abducted last month [April] in Adra, would be freed in return for 1,500 militants.

Under the Homs deal, the militants pledged to open ways for transferring food and supplies to several towns they have been keeping under siege.
The same is expected to be included in the new deal for several other areas, according to Eisa.

Earlier, one of the militant groups which enjoys support from the Saudi Royal family has made similar deals with the government in Aleppo and Rif Latakia.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team