Eighteen Syrian troops killed in shelling by militants in Latakia region

At least 18 Syrian troops have been killed in shelling by militants at Safsara in the Latakia Province, Lieutenant General Vladimir Savchenko, head of the Russian center for reconciliation of conflicting sides in Syria, told reporters on Saturday.

"Over the past 24 hours, militants shelled outskirts of the cities of Aleppo (twice) and Hama (three times), the populated locality of Tell-Alush in Aleppo Province and the populated locality of Safsara in Latakia Province," he said.

"One soldier of the Syrian Armed Forces was wounded in the shelling in Tell-Alush, while 18 more soldiers were killed in shelling in Safsara, another soldier was wounded," he said.

The general added that in the past 24 hours, one tonne of bread was distributed among residents of Karim Qun to the south of Aleppo. During a humanitarian mission in the Deir ez-Zor 450 food sets were handed out at the Salhiyah checkpoint.

The Russian center for reconciliation of conflicting sides has carried out nearly 2,000 humanitarian missions, delivering more than 3,120 tonnes of aid to Syrians.

The Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria. The center’s officers regularly travel around the country's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation. The main efforts of the Russian military are now focused on assistance to the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones.