Jordanien und Israel evakuieren 'White Helmets'

Hundreds of rescue volunteers from the Syrian Civil Defence were evacuated to Jordan by Israel at the request of the United States and European powers. 

A Jordanian government source on Sunday said 422 people were brought from Syria, over the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights frontier and into Jordan, down from a figure of 800 announced earlier by the foreign ministry in Amman.

The evacuees will be kept in a "closed" location in Jordan and resettled in Britain, Germany and Canada within three months, the source added.

A second non-Jordanian source familiar with the agreement said the original plan had been to evacuate 800 people, but only 422 made it out as operations were hampered by government checkpoints and the expansion of Islamic State in the area.

The evacuations took place as fears mounted for the safety of the rescue workers as Syrian government forces edged closer to taking control of southern Syria. 

The group, known famously as the White Helmets, is a network of first responders who rescue wounded in the aftermath of air strikes, shelling or explosions in rebel-areas. 

Since its formation, when Syria's conflict was nearing its third year, more than 200 of its volunteers have died and another 500 have been wounded.

Jordan confirmed that it had authorised the evacuation of the rescue workers. 

"The [Jordanian] government gave the permission after Britain, Germany and Canada made a legally binding undertaking to resettle them within a specified period due to a 'risk to their lives'," the kingdom said. 

Israel confirmed the evacuation and said that the transfer was a "humanitarian" task performed at the request of the "United States and additional European countries".

Quelle: Middle East Eye