MARZAF (Syria), March 3. /TASS/. More than 2,000 packages with Russian-Syrian relief supplies with the total weight of 20 tons have been delivered to the Marzaf and Al Kupair settlements in Syria (Hama province).
"Almost one-third of Al-Kupair’s population has been killed by the Jabhat al-Nusra militants, so the people are intimidated. They ran away when the saw us, but returned when they realized that food and water have been brought to them, as well as doctors, whom they have not seen for more than three years", Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov told reporters.
Each package of humanitarian aid contains two cans of fish, a can of stewed beef, as well as two kilograms of rice, peas and beans each. Separate sets for children include two kinds of chocolates, cookies and waffles.
Konashenkov said that Russia acts not only as a guarantor in the reconciliation process, but also as an intermediary in making contacts necessary for the establishment of trust between the conflict sides.
"Now it is very important not to allow terrorist groups here, because at least one slightest provocation would be enough for the people to withdraw, he said.
The ceasefire regime between the Syrian government forces and armed opposition groups came into force from 00:00 (01:00, Moscow time) on February 27. Ceasefire is not applicable to the terrorist groups Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra, as well as other formations recognized by the UN Security Council as terrorist.
An hour before the ceasefire came into force, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution in support of cessation of hostilities in Syria. The document was initiated by Russia and the United States and won support from all the 15 members of the United Nations Security Council. United Nations Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, told a briefing after the United Nations Security Council meeting that 97 armed groups in Syria had accepted the ceasefire terms.
According to the Russian military, the ceasefire regime in generally observed, but 31 violations of the regime have been recorded since the ceasefire regime came into force.
Russia’s Aerospace Forces started delivering strikes in Syria at facilities of the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist groups (both banned in Russia) on September 30, 2015. The air group initially comprised over 50 aircraft and helicopters, including Sukhoi Su-24M, Su-25SM and state-of-the-art Su-34 aircraft. They were redeployed to the Khmeimim airbase in the province of Latakia. On October 7, Moscow also involved the Russian Navy in the military operation. Four missile ships of the Caspian Flotilla fired 26 Kalibr cruise missiles (NATO codename Sizzler) at militants’ facilities in Syria.