FILE IMAGE: Russian Military Police service members are in Syria
A unit of the Russian Military Police survived an attack by an improvised-explosive device (IED) in the southern Syrian governorate of Daraa on July 13, a chief of the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria confirmed.
“There were no casualties among the Russian military personnel, nor damage to the military hardware. According to preliminary information, the act of sabotage and terror was committed by members of illegal armed groups, which operate separately in south Syria with the aim to escalate the situation in that region,” Maj. Gen. Alexei Bakin told reporters on July 14, according to the Russian news agency, TASS.
According to local sources, the attack took place on a road between the towns of Busra al-Sham and al-Sahoah in eastern Daraa. No group has claimed responsibility for the failed attack, so far.
Several units of the Russian Military Police were deployed in southern Syria last year to help facilitate a reconciliation agreement between the government and former rebel groups. The agreement was reached after a successful military operation by the Syrian Arab Army (SAA).
This was the first ever attack on Russian troops in southern Syria. The failed attack will likely force Syria and Russian troops to increase security measures in the strategic region.
