HMEIMIM. Dec 19 (Interfax) - The Russian center for reconciliation of opposing sides in Syria continues to carry out its mission, although Russia's military campaign is over, the head of the center, Maj. Gen. Sergei Zhmurin, told the press.
"Of course, when the supreme commander-in-chief declared that the war in Syria had practically come to an end, he stressed that the role of the center for reconciliation of opposing sides would be especially important in the post-conflict settlement period. A sizable part of the contingent is being pulled out, so we should double our efforts to accomplish our tasks, which are, above all, reconciliation tasks," Zhmurin said.
The center consists of the control post at the Hmeimim Airbase in Latakia and offices in Aleppo, Homs, the base of the International Mine Action Center, East Ghouta, Damascus, and the Afrin zone, he said.
The center is tasked with planning and rendering humanitarian aid to the Syrian population, coordinating the reconstruction of infrastructure in war-torn regions, assisting returning refugees, mediating in and coordinating disarmed militants' return to peaceful life, and monitoring the ceasefire, he said.
Russia, Turkey, and Iran guarantee the implementation of the ceasefire in Syria, while the center monitors all sides' compliance, Zhmurin said.
"Whenever a violation occurs, the special channel is used to contact the coordination center in Calis, Turkey. If there is any breach, a gunshot, or a mine, a call is made immediately on the direct line. The place where the gunfire came from is indicated, and measures are requested. We take those measures. When the violations are made by armed units, observation posts placed around every de-escalation area report them. In this case, we work with the Syrian side," he said.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the center has planned and conducted over 1,700 humanitarian operations in Syria to deliver thousands of tonnes of food to the civilian population. Russian military medics have given professional aid to at least 70,000 Syrians.
The center was directly involved in the conclusion of over 2,000 reconciliation agreements with what is referred to as the moderate opposition. The reconciliation process has been joined by 234 illegal armed formations in all.
The center has also helped 1.306 million Syrian refugees return home.