Russia hopes for positive international reaction to humanitarian operation in Aleppo - Defense Ministry

MOSCOW, July 28 /TASS/. Russia hopes for a positive international reaction, including China’s support, to the start of a large-scale humanitarian operation in Syria, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said on Thursday. He said that Moscow and Damascus were carrying out a joint operation. They are planning to create four escape corridors for the people who want to leave Aleppo. Food, medical supplies and essentials will be delivered to civilians by air. "We have called on international humanitarian organizations in Syria to join this operation…We hope for a positive reaction from the international community and naturally for the support of our Chinese friends," Antonov said at an official reception given by China’s military attache Yang Xuguang on the occasion of the 89th anniversary of the foundation of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. In his speech, Antonov said that Russian and Chinese military attaches had stepped up their interaction in recent years that grew into strategic partnership. "Cooperation in the military region occupies a vital place in Russian-Chinese relations and is one of the main areas for strengthening bilateral strategic relations," Antonov said. "We do not make friends against someone. The main purpose of our interaction is to counteract contemporary challenges and threats. International terrorism is our common enemy," the Russian deputy defense minister said. The Russian Defense Ministry has called on foreign attaches who work in Moscow to consider a possibility of sending relief aid to the Syrian population, the ministry’s press service reported on Thursday. Military attaches from more than 30 countries gathered at the Patriot Park in Moscow on Thursday to hear about Russian approaches to the humanitarian operation in Aleppo from Russian Defense Ministry representatives. "Special attention was paid to explaining Russian military approaches to the opening of humanitarian corridors; the creation of meal stations and the provision of first medical aid to the civilian population in Aleppo. [The Russian Foreign Ministry] called on military representatives of foreign countries to inform their capitals about the Russian military agency’s initiative and consider a possibility of rendering assistance to the Syrian population," a report received by TASS said. The military diplomats were informed about preparations for the International Army Games to be held in Russia and Kazakhstan from July 30 to August 13. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov promised to continue intensive work with foreign diplomats. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Thursday morning that Moscow and Damascus were starting a large-scale humanitarian operation in Aleppo. He explained that four escape corridors would open in the city: three will be meant for the civilians and the militants who wanted to lay down arms and one for the armed insurgents. Read more