elderly people according to the russian defense ministry but it's been tough to get to this stage as maisha said to expect. at first it was only a trickle of civilians fleeing syria's rebel held territory of eastern gaita it's now become a flood thousands have been given safe passage out of the embattled and play. more. than. one woman. look you know. what. i'm good. alive but what i do not quarrel for will not budge. what i'm going to. do you know what. and it was a struggle initially some of the militants were reportedly threatening to punish those trying to leave and shouting the path to safety there are even accounts of insurgents hiding in civilian houses taking people hostage and using them as human shields. and him when we left eastern ghouta it was so difficult that when we tried to leave earlier we were not allowed as it was controlled by terrorists. terrorists used people as human shields they wouldn't let us fully they hid behind our backs we wanted to leave a year and a half ago but they wouldn't let us so there were militants from. which is all kind of there they killed everyon