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Russian official says humanitarian situation in Rukban refugee camp in Syria ‘tough’

According to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the majority of the inhabitants of the camp are militants of illegal armed groups, as well as members of their families

MOSCOW, October 14. /TASS/. The humanitarian situation in the Rukban refugee camp, located in the US-occupied Al-Tanf zone in Syria, remains "tough," the head of Russia's Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Sides in Syria, Maj. Gen. Oleg Yegorov, told reporters on Thursday.

"Once again, we are pointing to the tough humanitarian situation in the Rukban refugee camp, located in the US-occupied territory of Al-Tanf," he said.

According to the Russian military official, the majority of the camp’s residents are members of illegal armed groups that control the camp, and their family members.

A significant number of refugees, who have no relation to illegal armed groups, are still being held in Rukban against their will, he said. The Russian reconciliation center has been informed that they have no access to humanitarian assistance, medical services and education.

In the past nine months, only 730 refugees were able to flee the camp and return to regions controlled by the Syrian government.

"Demonstrating its inability to provide security guarantees on territories under its control, the US military command continues to impede the arrival of a joint mission by the Russian reconciliation center and international humanitarian organizations to assess the true situation in the camp and evacuate the remaining refugees," the Russian general said.