ARMED militia handed over weapons to the Syrian army today under the terms of a settlement agreement allowing the government to retake control of Daraa.

Under a peace deal mediated by Russia, some opposition fighters have been allowed to stay in the region provided they disarm and present themselves to the authorities to settle their status.

Thousands of residents have returned to their homes after the last remaining jihadist groups surrendered and left Daraa on government-organised coaches to the northern Idlib province, bringing an end to months of fierce fighting, with militants holding parts of the city under siege.