The Russian military delivered humanitarian aid to the Christian village of al-Biyah in the Syria province of Hama, a Sputnik correspondent reported
AL-BIYAH (Hama Province (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 01st March, 2019) The Russian military delivered humanitarian aid to the Christian village of al-Biyah in the Syria province of Hama, a Sputnik correspondent reported.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry's center for Syrian reconciliation, more than 500 food sets weighing over two tonnes were delivered to the settlement.
During the hostilities in the country, the village has been encircled by militants, father superior of the Christian church in al-Biyah, priest Mikhail, told reporters.
"The parishioners did not leave our village when it was encircled by militants. When the situation was tense, neighbors came to help us," he said.
Local residents created a detachment of the national militia, which joined the Syrian army, and defended their homes together with the government troops, the priest said.
"Twenty of our people were killed, we keep the memory of everyone," he concluded.
According to most recent Syrian census, al-Biyah's population was just over 1,700 people in 2004.
Russia, alongside Iran and Turkey, is a guarantor of the ceasefire regime in Syria. Moscow has also been assisting Damascus through supporting the struggle against terrorist groups, providing humanitarian aid to local residents and facilitating the return of refugees.
