London- Asharq Al-Awsat

Hundreds of refugees in the Rukban camp along the Jordanian-Syrian border evacuated the area towards regime-held regions after regularizing their status with the help of sponsors, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The development took place following calls on Moscow and Washington to enter into talks on disbanding the camp.

The situation in Rukban camp is tragic, as prices of food continue to hike, while milk and some medications are unavailable. In addition, regime forces continue to block the road leading to the camp.

All of these conditions, as well as the deaths caused by lack of medical care and shortage of food and medicine, have forced the residents to evacuate the camp.

The evacuation process is being carried out by individuals without the presence of any guarantor, revealed local sources to the Observatory. The total number of refugees who have left since February reached around 700. The hugest batch, 150, left last week.

Syrian families wishing to leave to regions controlled by the regime are paying up to SYP200,000. Then, they should pay a variable amount for the regularization, ranging between SYP50,000 and SYP300,000. Afterward, they are moved to camps in Hisyah and other areas until required security investigations are complete.

The Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria called on the US-led coalition to participate in talks on dismantling the Rukban camp slated for April 2.

Syrian Ambassador to the United Nations Bashar Jaafari said on Wednesday that Damascus also wants the refugees to leave the Rukban camp and has prepared a convoy of vehicles ready to take them at any time, also stating that the United States must release the refugees.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said last week that Syrian authorities were ready to provide decent living conditions for camp residents if they were evacuated.

The camp, which houses some 40,000 displaced people, is located in southern Syria.