UK To Help With Evacuation Of Syrian Aid Workers

Syrian Civil Defence (White Helmets) in Hama (Image: PA)

Britain, the United States and Canada are finalising plans to evacuate several hundred so-called White Helmets and their families from south-west Syria as Russian-backed government forces prepare to recapture the area.

Two officials familiar with the plans said the three countries are spearheading the operation to remove the people to transit camps in neighbouring countries.

From there, they will be transported to third countries, including the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and possibly Canada, according to the officials.

The White Helmets, officially known as Syrian Civil Defence, is a humanitarian aid group who have been backed by the US and other Western nations.

Its members are likely to be targeted by Syrian forces as they retake control of the southwest.

The White Helmets only operate in opposition-held areas, where government services are almost non-existent and aerial bombings are a regular occurrence.

Syrian government supporters accuse the group of being politically affiliated with some of the rebels.

In other parts of Syria, where government control has been restored, civil defence volunteers have almost always evacuated to other opposition-held areas.

Quneitra Province is the only major territory still outside government control and has attracted hundreds of displaced people.

A White Helmets volunteer in Quneitra fears they are running out of time.

 "This is the worst day of my life. I hope they rescue us before it is too late."

The area lies along the border with Jordan and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and is unlikely to face Syrian air strikes.

Officials said planning for the evacuation has been taking place for some time but have now been accelerated following last week's NATO summit in Brussels.