Syrian troops are celebrating the liberation of the Yarmouk refugee camp and nearby areas in southern Damascus from ISIS. The Yarmouk refugee camp and nearby areas were the last militant-held pocket in the countryside of Damascus. Now, the Syrian capital is secured.
Earlier, the Syrian government forces regained control over the eastern neighborhoods of the district of Yarmouk located south of Damascus. The operation was launched after the liberation of Eastern Ghouta on Damascus’ outskirts from militants. with the last remaining town, Douma, being retaken from militants on April 12.
Yarmouk refugee camp and surrounding settlements were the last stronghold of ISIS and al-Nusra Front terrorists near Damascus. Since an armed conflict broke out in Syria in 2011, the Yarmouk refugee camp for Palestinian and Syrian refugees had been regularly taken over by different militant groups, which has resulted in catastrophic humanitarian conditions for the refugees. Currently, some 18,000 refugees live in the camp.