MOSCOW, August 3. /TASS/. Syrian government troops have repelled several attacks staged by Jabhat al-Nusra (a terrorist organization outlawed in Russia - TASS) militants in southern parts of the Idlib de-escalation zone, both sides sustained losses, the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria said on Monday.

"During the past day, Jabhat al-Nusra militants attempted several attacks on the positions of the Syrian government army near the settlement of Hamrat. All the militants’ attacks were repelled, with militants sustaining losses, both in manpower and military hardware. The Syrian government army sustained losses too," the center said.

According to the center, the situation in Idlib has worsened over the months. "More than 140 ceasefire violations were registered by the Russian side in the Idlib de-escalation zone. Illegal armed groups are using the ceasefire agreement to build up their military potential," said Alexander Shcherbitsky, the center’s chief.

Militants continued shelling attacks on populated localities from their positions. Thus, nine such attacks were reported from the settlements of Rashah, Bsharfa, and Mamukhiyah in the Latakia governorate, al-Dmir, Awejel, Miznas, Urum al-Sugra, Herbet Jezraya, and Bastratun in the Aleppo governorate, he said, adding that no shelling attacks by Turkey-controlled illegal armed groups were reported during the day.

The Russian center once again recalled that Russia’s and Turkey’s joint efforts were needed to exterminate terrorists in the Idlib zone.

The Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria. The center’s officers regularly travel around the country's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation. The main efforts of the Russian military are now focused on assistance to the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones.