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Conflict in Syria

Demining Syria’s Douma to take about 3 months — top brass

Syrian sappers find from 200 to 250 landmines and improvised explosive devices every day

© AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

DOUMA /Syria/, May 3. /TASS/. The operation to fully demine the Syrian city of Douma recaptured from militants of the Jaysh al-Islam extremist group will take up to three months, the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Sides in Syria told reporters.

"Efforts to demine the city are underway. To date, Syrian sappers have found and deactivated 1,200 landmines, 1.5 tonnes of explosives and 4,000 improvised explosive devices. It will take up to three months to fully demine the city," the center’s spokesman said, adding that the landmines that have been found, judging by the markings, were manufactured in some NATO member-countries.

Syrian sappers find from 200 to 250 landmines and improvised explosive devices every day. According to a representative of the Syrian armed forces, civilians actively help them demine the area.

The Russian Defense Ministry earlier reported that the evacuation of militants from Douma had completed on April 13, with more than 21,000 militants and members of their families evacuated from the area. The city came under the control of Syrian government forces.

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Syria Syrian conflict

Military operation in Ukraine

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Here are the key statements, made during the meeting

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Putin to address parliament next year, preparations underway — Kremlin

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