Russia has begun humanitarian operations in Syria, where it has been engaged in an aerial campaign against terrorist groups over the past few months.

Officials in the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday that peaceful life is returning to Syria as a result of Moscow’s joint military operation with the Syrian government against militants.

“The inhabitants are gradually coming back to Syrian cities and peaceful life is returning ... in this context, the implementation of humanitarian operations will be a new line of work for the Russian armed forces in Syria,” said General Sergei Rudskoi, a senior Russian General Staff official.

He added that most of the relief aid is being sent to the eastern city of Dayr al-Zawr, which has been under siege by Daesh terrorists.

The Syrian air force used Russian military equipment to airdrop 22 tonnes of aid in the city, said the Russian official, adding, “Our work in this direction will continue.”

Russia began its air campaign against the Daesh and other Takfiri groups in Syria last September upon a request from Damascus. The Russian airstrikes have killed hundreds of terrorists while destroying their major weaponry and illegal oil installations.

Also on Friday, Russia called on the warring sides in Syria to step up their efforts to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the areas under siege.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the situation in the towns of Madaya, Fu’ah and Kafriya is a source of particular concern.

The United Nations aid convoys entered the three locations earlier in the week after Damascus and militants reached an agreement to allow the delivery of aid.