Militants still staging armed provocations in Idlib de-escalation area - Russian military
HMEIMIM. Aug 27 (Interfax) - Russian forces continue to observe violations of illegal armed groups operating in the Idlib de-escalation area despite the ceasefire, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"Attacks on the populated localities of Barisha, Ikko, Kermel, Safsafa, Kellaz in the Latakia governorate, on the regions of Halidia, Vilal, Maraanaz, Makanis ed-Duwari (three times), Zahr el-Jaia, the northwestern suburb of the city of Aleppo, and the populated locality of Abu-dali in the Hama governorate have been seen in the past 24 hours," the head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria, Maj. Gen. Alexei Tsygankov, said at a press briefing.
Former members of illegal armed groups have surrendered 231 small arms and 11 tonnes of ammunition, he said.
In addition, members of the Reconciliation Center have carried out a humanitarian operation in the populated locality of Mazlum in the Deir ez-Zor governorate, Tsygankov said. A total of 650 packages of food weighing a total of 2.8 tonnes were handed out to local residents.
The Reconciliation Center has carried out 1,908 humanitarian operations to deliver 2,942.91 tonnes of aid since the beginning of the peace process.
Members of the Reconciliation Center jointly with the Center for Refugee Reception, Allocation, and Accommodation are monitoring the return of civilians from the Idlib de-escalation area through the Abu ed-Duhur humanitarian corridor. A total of 642 refugees, including 321 children, and seven units of hardware have been withdrawn. Medical aid was provided to 221 Syrians, including 109 children.
Russian military doctors have given aid to 242 Syrians, including 123 children, in the past 24 hours, the general said.