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Four Red Cross employees injured in humanitarian operation in Homs

One of the convoy’s trucks has been attacked by entering the Old Town in the area of Al-Sa’a al-Jadida Square

BEIRUT, February 08, 21:11 /ITAR-TASS/. Four employees of the Syrian Red Cross have been injured during the humanitarian operation in Homs, Al Mayadeen TV Channel reported on Saturday.

One of the convoy’s trucks has been attacked by entering the Old Town in the area of Al-Sa’a al-Jadida Square.

Homs Governor Talal al-Barazi told Al Mayadeen that one of the militants’ groups had violated a ceasefire agreement.

“It has not been subordinated to field commanders with whom an agreement was reached,” the governor said.

The incident did not stop the delivery of foodstuffs that continued in residential areas. According to al-Barazi, the Syrian authorities wait for a bus carrying evacuated residents.

Al Mayadeen reports that the Syrian authorities allowed transportation of three tonnes of foodstuffs to Homs. The delivery will be started within hours. At present, the local authorities are coordinating an area where the U.N. convoy will proceed due the fact that the evacuation of peaceful civilians has been delayed.

The situation is calm in the city. The humanitarian operation is led by U.N. coordinator Jacob el-Helo, who said the government structures and the city authorities had made effective contribution to the office.

“I want to thank the Syrian Red Crescent courageous employees, who carried out the operation,” el-Helo said.

The U.N. sources do not rule out that the agreement on a “humanitarian pause” will be extended in order to allow most people to leave the area of Al Hamidiyeh.