Russian commander visits Syria’s Qamishli for talks on Deir ez-Zor
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Commander of the Russian forces in Syria, accompanied by senior officers, arrived on Friday at Qamishli International Airport to hold talks regarding recent events in Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria, according to a source speaking to North Press.
The source said the Russian delegation, led by the commander of the Russian forces and accompanied by three generals and two brigadiers, arrived at Qamishli Airport at 12 o’clock coming from the Khmeimim Air Base.
The source added that the purpose of the visit was to address the attack launched by the government forces and the Iranian-affiliated militias on villages in eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor which are under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
“A delegation from the SDF arrived at the meeting location, as well as a delegation from the Syrian army coming from Deir ez-Zor by military helicopter,” the source noted.
The source emphasized that no Iranian representatives were present at the meeting.
Early on Friday, the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor witnessed a mass displacement following a bloody night that resulted in the killing of 11 civilians and the injury of others, amid renewed shelling on some towns.
On Aug. 7, dozens of Syrian government-backed and Iranian-backed militants infiltrated villages and towns in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, controlled by the SDF, and launched a ground attack against areas on the eastern banks of the Euphrates River, east of Deir ez-Zor.
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) expressed deep concern over the situation, saying, “At least 20 civilians were reportedly killed, and 15 others injured, in recent days,” the OCHA said. “While water stations and other civilian facilities were reportedly damaged or affected, including a UN-supported centre on rural livelihoods.”