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Russian fighter jets accompany delivery of humanitarian aid to Syria’s Deir ez-Zor

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has noted progress in the work of the humanitarian taskforce on Syria

LATAKIA, February 26. /TASS/. Russia’s Su-35 fighter jets accompanied the delivery of around 20 tonnes of humanitarian aid sent by international organizations to Syria’s Deir ez-Zor, the ceasefire coordination center in Latakia told reporters on Friday.

The aid was airdropped to the eastern Syrian city seized by terrorists. An operation to escort the delivery was organized by the ceasefire coordination center that opened at Hmeimim airbase near Latakia on Tuesday.

"The overall weight of cargo was around 20 tonnes. The operation was held under cover of Russian Su-35 fighter jets," the center said.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Tuesday the coordination center began operations to implement the ceasefire. Its goal will be to assist talks on reconciliation between Syria’s authorities and opposition, and also to arrange the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has noted progress in the work of the humanitarian taskforce on Syria, saying humanitarian aid has started reaching all the settlements.

"We are glad to note progress in the work of humanitarian task force set up in line with the statement adopted in Munich on February 12," the ministry said. "Humanitarian assistance has started reaching all the settlements included in the document."

The ministry said however that humanitarian situation in Syria remains difficult, but the international community makes all efforts to normalize it. "Russia consistently backs international efforts on providing humanitarian assistance to the people in need in Syria," the statement read.

UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said around 110,000 people have been provided with necessary assistance due to this effort. Another batch of humanitarian aid will be sent to these areas in the coming days.

According to UN’s chief, every month some 6 million Syrians receive food supplied by humanitarian organizations of the United Nations and partners. The overall number of Syrian refugees is estimated at 4.6 million people.

The number of internally displaced people is put at over 7.6 million people, including those who left their homes and moved to safer areas in Syria. The Syrian government and local citizens provide assistance to them.

The first airdrop of humanitarian aid under the World Food Program was carried out on Wednesday to Deir ez-Zor