Israel Helps Syria's White Helmets Go To Jordan

Jerusalem (CNN)Israel has assisted the evacuation of 422 Syrians -- including members of the White Helmets rescue group -- to neighboring Jordan in an international humanitarian operation coordinated by the United Nations. Western powers had become concerned in recent weeks that the volunteers' lives were at risk as Russian-backed Syrian forces tightened their grip on one of the last rebel-held areas in southern Syria. Regime forces had increased their offensive in the area in recent weeks, making the rescue effort even more urgent. The Syrians were transferred to Jordan via Israel, at the request of the United States and some European countries, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement after the operation.