Hundreds of White Helmet search and rescue volunteers and their families have been rescued from Syria via Israel in a secret overnight operation backed by the UK.

The group will be resettled in Canada and Germany, and the UK after diplomatic efforts to secure safe passage for the group, who were stranded in the volatile Golan Heights region on the border with Israel.

The group of more than 400, including women and children, was evacuated from Syria into Israel late Saturday night under cover of darkness, in an unprecedented operation few knew about until after its successful completion.

Uncertainty still clouds the situation, with initial reports Sunday morning saying 800 Syrians had entered Jordan. Jordanian officials on Sunday afternoon revised that number to 422. With a lack of clarity over how many White Helmets entered Israel and how many went on to enter Jordan, there are fears for any rescuers and their families left behind.

The group now inside Jordan is under guard in a secure location. The country has received assurances they will be resettled through the UN’s refugee agency within three months.

The last-minute rescue of the famed first responders, officially known as the Syrian Civil Defence, came as a result of discreet high-level negotiations between the US, UK, and allies, spurred by fear for their immediate safety working in opposition areas under heavy regime bombardment.