HMEYMIM /Syria/, December 19. /TASS/. Russian officers from the Center for Reconciliation of the opposing sides in Syria continue to carry out tasks set before them after the military campaign in the country concluded, the Center’s head Major General Sergei Zhmurin told reporters.
"Undoubtedly, when the Commander-in-Chief announced that on the whole the war in Syria was over, it was stressed that the role of the Center for Reconciliation in the post-war settlement process will increase," he said. "A significant number of troops are being withdrawn, while we will have to step up our activities because reconciliation tasks are taking center stage now," the general added.
According to Zhmurin, the Russian Center for Reconciliation currently includes a control center located at the Hmeymim airbase in the Latakia province, as well as branches in Aleppo, Homs, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Afrin and at the International Demining Center. The Center for Reconciliation provides humanitarian aid to the Syrian people, coordinates activities aimed at rebuilding infrastructure facilities in the war-torn areas and the reintegration of former militants into peaceful life, as well as assists refugees returning to their homes. Russia, Turkey and Iran act as the guarantors of the Syria ceasefire, while the Center monitors the ceasefire.
"We have a special channel for communicating with the Coordination Center set up in Turkey’s Kilis. We call them as soon as we record any ceasefire violation or a mine explosion, informing from which direction the attack came and ask them to take steps in this regard," the head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation said.
"When ceasefire is violated by the armed forces active in areas surrounding the de-escalation zones, we contact the Syrians," he added.
Intermediate results
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, officers from the Russian Center for Reconciliation have carried out more than 1,700 humanitarian missions so far, delivering thousands of tonnes of food to Syrian civilians. Russian military doctors provided medical aid to at least 70,000 Syrians.
The Center brokered over 2,000 agreements on joining the ceasefire with representatives of the so-called moderate opposition. As many as 234 illegal armed groups joined the ceasefire.
As a result of the Center’s activities, 1.3 mln Syrian refugees have been able to return to their homes.