US, allies set to evacuate Syrian aid workers from southwest
By MATTHEW LEE and SARAH EL DEEB, Associated Press
Jul 19, 2018 11:19 PM CDT
In this photo released on Wednesday Feb. 21, 2018 which provided by the Syrian Civil Defense group known as the White Helmets, shows a member of the Syrian Civil Defense group, searches for victims under the rubble of a destroyed house that attacked by Syrian government forces airstrike, in Ghouta,...   (Associated Press)

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials say the United States is finalizing plans to evacuate several hundred Syrian civil defense workers and their families from southwest Syria as Russian-backed government forces close in on the area.

Two officials familiar with the plans said Thursday that the U.S., Britain and Canada are spearheading the evacuation that would transport members of the White Helmets group to transit camps in neighboring countries. From there, they will be sent to third countries, including Britain, Germany, the Netherlands and possibly Canada.

The officials, and a member of the White Helmets who is due to be evacuated from Quneitra province, said the operation appears to be imminent as the Syrian army continues to gain ground in its latest offensive.