Rebel fighters are evacuated from the city of Harasta in the eastern Damascus suburb of Ghouta on March 22.
RFE: Syrian Army, Aided By Russia, Regains Control Over Most Of Damascus Suburb
Syrian rebel fighters have evacuated one enclave in eastern Ghouta and reached a Russian-brokered deal to leave another, enabling Syrian government forces to regain control over most of the embattled Damascus suburb, observers say.
The developments on March 23 brought Syrian President Bashar al-Assad close to his biggest victory since driving armed rebels out of Aleppo in December 2016, though his opposition still has a few remaining strongholds in northwestern and southwestern Syria.
A devastating Russia-backed government assault since February 18 on eastern Ghouta has killed more than 1,600 civilians but has brought 90 percent of the Damascus suburb back under government control, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
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MIDDLE EAST
Syria rebels prepare to quit enclave on Damascus doorstep. Thousands expected to leave second pocket in Syria’s Ghouta.
As Syrian rebels quit Ghouta, Douma stands alone.
Syrians in Kurd-held city fear Turkey, bet on US.
Turkey takes full control of Syria's Afrin: military source.
Turkey condemns 'unacceptable' EU comments on Greece, Cyprus.
UAE-backed forces accused of arbitrary arrests, torture in Yemen.
US sanctions Iranian hackers for 'stealing university data'.
Iran angered by US imposition of cyber sanctions.
German, French foreign ministers set to visit Israel for talks on Iran nuke deal.
ASIA
China ready to 'defend its national interests' in US trade spat, state media says. China tells US it will defend interests after Trump tariffs.
North Korea agrees to inter-Korean talks next week: Seoul. Koreas to hold high-level talks to set up Kim-Moon summit. South Korea says North agrees to hold summit preparation talks on March 29.
As fighting season begins in Afghanistan, Trump administration aims for peace talks.
The US and its Asia Pacific allies are boosting security ties — that could upset China.
Camels, swordsmen and jaw-dropping jets: Pakistan flexes military might at invite-only parade.
Pakistan, Sri Lanka vow to work together for regional peace.
Thai protesters demand army stop supporting ruling junta.
Indian agency denies reported security lapse in ID card project.
China's 9.4-ton space station is about to fall from the sky — and no one is sure where its debris will land.
AFRICA
Egypt Interior Ministry says explosion in Alexandria kills 1. Bomb kills two in Alexandria ahead of Egypt presidential vote.
Egyptians to vote Monday, Sisi re-election guaranteed.
War of words over DR Congo's humanitarian crisis as children die.
DR Congo to shun its own donor conference in Geneva.
Ivorians vote in senate poll likely to shore up president's power.
Sierra Leone court halts preparations for presidential run-off.
Zimbabwe investigates Grace Mugabe for illegal ivory smuggling.
South Africa let me down, says ousted Mugabe.
Half of African species 'face extinction'.
EUROPE
Moscow says Europe 'unpredictable and aggressive' over Skripal: RIA.
EU and Nato urged to check for Russian spies at their headquarters as UK allies consider expelling diplomats.
French supermarket siege: gendarme dies after taking place of hostage. France mourns 'hero' officer who took place of hostage in attack.
Former Catalan leader faces arrest in Finland.
Spain charges 13 Catalan politicians with rebellion. Protests erupt in Barcelona after Catalan leaders jailed.
Thousands of Croatian far-right supporters march in Zagreb.
Merkel ally defiant in row over Islam's place in Germany.
British authorities raid Cambridge Analytica offices in London.
AMERICAS
Massive crowds rally across U.S. to urge tighter gun controls.
Trump weighs whether to expel Russian diplomats after UK poisoning: Bloomberg.
John Bolton plans to fire dozens of White House officials: report.
Peru political turmoil: President Martín Vizcarra sworn in.
Peru takes ex-president's passport amid corruption probe.
Miss Venezuela to close temporarily over corruption claims.
Canada says it's optimistic about NAFTA talks, but it's also diversifying trade ties.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
How the Islamic State got a foothold in Afghanistan.
Police arrest second person linked to French attack: source.
Malaysia arrests seven men with Islamic State links over attacks plot.
ECONOMY./FINANCE/BUSINESS
Oil price crosses $70 amid Iran deal tensions.
Dropbox shares close up 35 percent in biggest tech debut since Snap.
Facebook crisis prompts Silicon Valley soul-searching.
The week Facebook's value plunged $58bn.
Musk deletes Facebook pages of Tesla, SpaceX after challenged on Twitter.