LOC13:23
10:23 GMT
MOSCOW, Feb 16 (KUNA) -- Russia said on Saturday a humanitarian operation will take place, in cooperation with Syria's government, to move internally displaced Syrians from Rukban camp in Al-Tanf area near the Jordanian border, southeastern Syria.
The Syrian government decided to open two humanitarian corridors in the settlements of Jleb and Jabal Al-Ghurab, where IDPs can voluntary, unimpededly, and safely exit the area through corresponding checkpoints, Head of Russian National Center for State Defence Control General Lieutenant Mikhail Mezentsev said in a statement.
The checkpoints will launch its 24-hours operation at 9 am on February 19 to meet, receive, distribute, and provide necessary assistance to IDPs leaving Rukban camp, Mezentsev added.
There will be offices at the two checkpoints for meetings, medical checkup, sanitary-epidemiological treatment, food, rest, paperwork, clothing, and material support, said the Russian military official.
The operation aims to rescue some 10,000 persons who have been forced by US-backed troops to reside at Rukban camp against their own will, he noted, adding these forces have also seized numerous humanitarian convoys that were sent out for the camp.
Meanwhile, Mezentsev indicated that the living conditions in the camp are deteriorating, and that people live in shacks without water and electricity.
There is a serious problem of providing the population of the camp with drinking water, he said, noting that theft, prostitution, and unequal marriages are widespread in the camp.
He urged UN bodies and humanitarian organizations to participate directly in this humanitarian operation, calling the US government to show "goodwill" and put an end for the suffering IDPs in that area. (end)
as.ma