Russia Announces Deploying 4 Checkpoints, 14 Observation Points along De-Escalation Zones in Eastern Ghouta and Southwest of Syria

MOSCOW-The Russian Defense Ministry on Monday announced deploying two checkpoints and 10 observation points along the line of the de-escalation zone in the southwest of Syria.

Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the Russian General Staff Col. Gen. Sergei Rudskoy said that the Russian military police established the posts along the southwestern de-escalation zone on July 21 and July 22.

The checkpoints and observation posts, he noted, are aimed at “supporting the ceasefire regime, facilitating unhindered access of humanitarian supplies, the return of refugees and temporarily displaced persons,” according to Sputnik.

 Gen. Rudskoy pointed out that the Russian military police established two checkpoints and four observation points for the de-escalation zone in eastern Ghouta.

On Saturday, the General Command of the Syrian Army and Armed Forces declared cessation of hostilities in several areas in eastern Ghouta of Damascus Countryside, stressing at the same time that the army will respond properly to any violation by the armed groups.

Rudskoy went on to say that Russia will continue working to establish a de-escalation zone in Idleb countryside.

Steady Decrease in Truce Violation

In the same context, Rudskoy said that there were 1.5 times fewer ceasefire violations in Syria in the three weeks of July as compared with the same period in June.

“As political agreements are implemented, there is a steady decrease in the number of violations of the ceasefire regime throughout Syria,” Rudskoy clarified.

Talking to reporters, Rudskoy said that Russian combat planes have made more than 2,000 sorties in Syria within the period of two months, delivering almost 6,000 airstrikes on terrorists.

“For these purposes, planes of the Russian Aerospace Forces have carried out 2,010 sorties, delivering 5,850 air strikes on control points, weapons and ammunition depots, transshipment bases and camps for training gunmen,” he said.

Hamda Mustafa