Ruth Sherlock
The Telegraph
July 24, 2013
Disillusioned by the Islamist twist that the “revolution” in Syria
has taken, exhausted after more than two years of conflict and feeling
that they are losing, growing numbers of rebels are signing up to a
negotiated amnesty offered by the Assad regime.
At the same time, the families of retreating fighters have begun
quietly moving back to government-controlled territory, seen as a safer
place to live as the regime continues its intense military push against
rebel-held areas.
The move is a sign of the growing confidence of the regime, which has
established a so-called “ministry of reconciliation” with the task of
easing the way for former opponents to return to the government side.
Ali Haider, the minister in charge, said: “Our message is, ‘if you
really want to defend the Syrian people, put down your weapons and come
and defend Syria in the right way, through dialogue’.”
Full story here.
