7 Dec 2017 17:19

Syria to be demined by 740 local specialists - Russian General Staff

MOSCOW. Dec 7 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian military are training battalion of Syrian combat engineers.

"International Mine Action Center officers in Syria have trained 740 combat engineer," the chief of the Russian General Staff's Main Operational Directorate, Col. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi, said on Thursday.

The training of combat engineers from among Syrian servicemen continues, he said.

Russian combat engineers have completed the demining of residential areas of Deir ez-Zor: mines and unexploded munitions were removed from 1,868 buildings and 246 kilometers of roads, the general said.

"A total of 53,478 explosive items and improvised explosive devices were rendered safe over 1,238 hectares. Russian combat engineers helped provide Deir ez-Zor residents with drinking water," Rudskoi said.