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Briefing by Russian Centre for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria (July 25, 2018)

Reconciliation of opposing sides and stabilization of humanitarian situation are the main vectors in political settlement of the crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic.

There are favourable conditions in most areas of the Syrian Arab Republic that enable people to return back to their homes.

Due to taken measures, 73,335 people have returned back to the Eastern Ghouta from refugee and IDPs camps. Over the past day, 99 people have returned back to their former places of residence.

Over the past day, 453 people including 203 children have passed through the Tal-Sultan – Abu al-Duhur humanitarian corridor. Besides, 60 vehicles passed via the corridor. 137 Syrian received medical aid, including 73 children.

Since the humanitarian corridor started operation, 9,727 Syrian (including 4,439 children) have been evacuated. Besides, 1,609 vehicles passed via the corridor. 2,385 Syrian received medical aid, including 1,349 children.

Military medics have provided medical assistance to more than 178 people, including 76 children over the past day.

Today the Centre for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides held humanitarian action in Marrat, Deir ez-Zor province. People received over 650 food sets with a total weight of 2.8 tons.

The Il-76 aircraft delivered 34 tons of humanitarian relief to the Khmeimim air base. It contains food supplies (rice grids, wheat flour, canned meat), medication (dressings and disinfectants).

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent will distribute the aid among refugees in need on their way back home in Syria.

Situation in the Idlib de-escalation zone is worsening. Despite the ceasefire regime being established throughout the country, there are still cases of ceasefire regime violation by illegal armed formations in the Idlib de-escalation zone. Over the past day they have attacked the following towns: Ikko, Qellaz, Safsafa, Kinsabba, Latakia province, and Al-Khalidiyah and Castello districts of Aleppo city.

As reported, leaders of Hayyat Tahrir al-Sham (Jabhat al-Nusra), Jabhat Tahrir Souriya (combines Nour al-Din al-Zenki and Ahrar al-Sham), Suqour al-Sham and Faylaq al Sham organisations agreed to create an operational HQ for an offensive against government troops. It is reported about several concentrations in several areas: mountains of north Latakia, the El-Gab valley on the Hama - Idlib border, areas west of Aleppo. Reinforcements and selected units of militants are transferred there, armoured vehicles are pulled up. Insurgents are placed oth in tent camps and in settlements close to borders of the e-escalation zone. Meanwhile, civilians and IDPs are forced to leave their homes by militants.

Militants conducted reconnaissance on the line of contact with government troops, in the mountain Latakia and down of Aleppo insurgents conducted combat reconnaissance and tried to make passages in minefields. Their engineers equip earth mounds along roads to cover moving armored vehicles and motorised rifle units during the offensive.

The Russian Centre for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides urges leaders of illegal armed formations to cease hostilities and move towards peaceful settlement of the situation in areas they occupy, and ensure delivery of humanitarian relief to Syrian civilians.