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Conflict in Syria

Russian military police ready to repel terrorists’ attacks at safe zone near Damascus

The checkpoints and observation zones in Eastern Ghouta can be attacked at any moment, military police Capt. Alexei Polatinsky said

© AP Photo/Julio Cortez

DAMASCUS, August 4. /TASS/. Servicemen of the Russian military police, deployed in the southern part of the Eastern Ghouta de-escalation zone near the Syrian capital of Damascus, are fully ready to repel a possible attack by terrorist groups, military police Capt. Alexei Polatinsky told reporters.

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Russian-Syrian checkpoint opens in Eastern Goutha de-escalation zone

"The personnel is 100% ready. Twice a day, we train to repel possible attacks by terrorists," he said, adding that the checkpoints and observation zones in Eastern Ghouta can be attacked at any moment.

According to the officer, a group of nearly 350 militants from the Jabhat an-Nusra terrorist group (outlawed in Russia) is based nearby and attacks everyone who approaches their positions.

An agreement on a de-escalation zone has been in effect in Eastern Ghouta, some 10 km north of Damascus, since noon July 24.

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