Hundreds of Syrian rebel fighters and their families were evacuated from Damascus for the first time on Monday, bringing the government one step closer to recapturing all of the prized capital city.

Fighters in the district of Barzeh, which is besieged by regime forces, surrendered in exchange for safe passage to other opposition-held areas.

Some of the 1,500 men, women and children expected to leave on Monday were pictured boarding government buses, carrying duffel bags and suitcases.