THE Israeli military has evacuated hundreds of rescue workers, known as the White Helmets, from the Syrian border and transported them to Jordan.
The volunteers were rescued from the volatile frontier area on the Golan Heights following a request by the United States and its European allies, according to officials.
It was the first such Israeli intervention in Syria’s civil war, now in its eight year.
Jordan confirmed the Syrian citizens entered its territory to be resettled in Western countries.
Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi said the total number of evacuees was 422, even though the initial request was to evacuate 800. It was unclear what happened to the remainder.
Safadi later tweeted that Jordan had approved the evacuations after a pledge from the UK, Germany and Canada that the Syrian evacuees would be resettled within three months.
The White Helmets and their families had been stranded along the frontier with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights following the Syrian government offensive in south-western Syria which commenced in June.
The group, which operates in opposition-held areas, is often targeted in Syrian government military attacks on its members and facilities.
The Syrian government considers the group a “terrorist” organisation because it works in areas controlled by its opponents, where state institutions are non-existent.
The Israeli military said the overnight operation was an “exceptional humanitarian gesture” done at the request of the United States and its European allies due to “an immediate threat to the (Syrians’) lives”.
The military believes its actions do not reflect a change to Israel’s non-intervention policy in Syria’s war, where all the warring parties are considered hostile.
Raed Saleh, head of the Syrian Civil Defence as the White Helmets are also known, said a number of volunteers and their families were evacuated from a dangerous, besieged area and had reached Jordan.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel