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Five reconciliation agreements inked in Syria in 24 hours — Russian Defense Ministry

The number of populated localities that joined the reconciliation process has increased to 945

MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. Five reconciliation agreements have been inked in Syria, the Russian Center for reconciliation of the warring parties said in its daily news bulletin posted on the Russian Defense Ministry’s official website on Wednesday.

"In the past 24 hours, reconciliation agreements have been signed with representatives of five settlements in the Hama province (3) and in the Latakia province (2). The number of populated localities that joined the reconciliation process has increased to 945," the bulletin says.

Talks on joining the cessation of hostilities are ongoing with the field commanders of illegal armed units in the settlement of Moadamyiet al-Shih in the Damascus region and with groups of armed opposition in the regions of Homs, Aleppo and Quneitra.

"The number of armed groups that pledged their commitment to accepting and fulfilling the conditions of the cessation of hostilities remained unchanged — 69," the document says.

Shelling by illegal armed groups

The Russian reconciliation center reported 42 instances of shelling by illegal armed groups in the regions of Damascus (20), Aleppo (17), Latakia (2), Hama (1), Daraa (1) and Quneitra (1) in the past 24 hours.

"Armed groups carried out fire from mortars and small arms in the Damascus province at the settlements of Bloudan, Kafr-Batna, the area adjoining the al-Abbasiyyin stadium, the settlement of Jobar (twice), the automobile road near the settlement of Douma and positions of government forces near height 612; in the Aleppo province — at the settlements of Azizi and al-Masharqa district in the city of Aleppo; in the Latakia province — at the settlements of Ikko and Ain al-Kantara," the bulletin says.

Terrorist groups carried out strikes from home-made multiple missile launchers, gun artillery, anti-tank grenade launchers, mortars and firearms in the Damascus region on the settlements of Arbil (three times), Hawsh Nasri, Bala al-Jalida, Bala al-Kadima, the al-Wafideen camp in the settlement of Douma, a sports ground and energy station in the populated locality of Jobar and positions of government forces on Tell Kaukab mountain.

Russian Aerospace Force and Syrian Air Force have not been delivering strikes on opposition armed units that had announced the cessation of hostilities and reported their location to the Russian or US reconciliation centers.

Humanitarian aid to Syrians

The news bulletin says that three humanitarian missions were carried out over the past 24 hours. One tonne of humanitarian aid was delivered to refugees in the refugee camp in Aleppo’s al-Jamila district, three tonnes to the Russian community in the Hayy ash-Shakhba district and about 150 kilograms to residents in the settlement of Masyaf in the Hama region.

Special centers keep operating in the city of Aleppo, providing hot meals and daily necessities to civilians who are leaving the districts controlled by illegal armed groups.

Russian reconciliation center

The Russian Defense Ministry declared the establishment of the reconciliation center on February 23. It is headquartered at the Hmeymim air base, Latakia province. The center was set up in line with agreements reached by Russia and the United States to facilitate the negotiations between the Syrian government and opposition and to organize humanitarian deliveries.