Convoys of buses arrived on Tuesday to transfer thousands of Syrian militants and refugees from Lebanon’s border region into rebel territory in Syria in exchange for Hezbollah prisoners.

Under a local ceasefire between the Sunni Muslim Militants and the Shi’ite Hezbollah, about 9,000 fighters and their relatives were to leave.

The deal includes the departure of all nusra front militants from Lebanon’s border region around the town of Arsal, along with any civilians in nearby refugee camps who wish to go.

Tags: Hezbollah prisoners, Lebanon, Syrian militants and refugees