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Russian Defense Ministry invites Japanese counterparts to join mission in Aleppo

Russia has informed Japan about the humanitarian mission in Aleppo

MOSCOW, August 26. /TASS/. Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov invited counterparts from the Japanese military authority to join the humanitarian mission in Syria's Aleppo, press service of the Russian ministry said on Friday.

The press service said the deputy defense minister voiced the invitation during a meeting with Japan's Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador in Russia Toyhisa Kozuki on August 25.

"The deputy head of the Russian Defense Ministry informed about the humanitarian mission in Aleppo, which was initiated by Russia, and invited the counterparts from the Japanese Ministry of Defense to join the mission," the press service said in a statement.

The Russian deputy minister also informed the Japanese ambassador about the snap exercise of the Armed Forces, which began on Thursday at the order of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.

"The deputy minister stressed specifically the exercise complies fully with all the international obligations Russia has," the press service said.

Moscow and Damascus began the joint humanitarian operation in Aleppo on July 28. A few corridors for civilians and militants to leave the city were opened. Foodstuffs, medications, articles of prime necessity are delivered to Aleppo. The Russian Armed Forces General Staff reported later that from August 11 hostilities in Aleppo will be stopped for three hours per day for passage of humanitarian convoys inside of the city.

The UN secretary general’s special envoy on Syria Staffan de Mistura suggested making 48 pauses for delivery of aid. The first 48-hour-long humanitarian pause in Aleppo will be announced when de Mistura says the cargoes are ready for delivery to city residents, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov told the media on Tuesday.