70 militants killed in Syrian army’s return fire to sabotage group’s attack - ministry - TASS

 A Syrian soldier was killed and two more wounded in an attack of a sabotage group in Idlib region, while up to 70 militants were destroyed in return fire, Vadim Kulit, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, said on Saturday.

"In southern section of the Idlib de-escalation zone a sabotage group of militants attacked the government forces of the Syrian Arab Republic near Rwayha in Idlib province. In the attack, one Syrian soldier was killed and two more wounded. Up to 70 militants were destroyed in the government forces’ return fire," he said.

According to the center, 39 episodes of shelling were recorded in the Idlib de-escalation zone by the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group (banned in Russia). Of those, 21 incidents were reported in Idlib province, 12 - in Latakia province, three - in Aleppo province and three more in the Hama province.

No shelling by Turkey-controlled illegal armed groups was registered, Kulit added.

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.