Moscow. February 7. INTERFAX-AVN - Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has approved an agreement with Belarus providing for the dispatch of up to 200 Belarusian military personnel to Syria to provide humanitarian assistance. The corresponding order is published on the official Internet portal of legal information.
On behalf of the Prime Minister, the Russian Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry will hold talks with the Belarusian side and sign an agreement.
"Taking into account the official invitation of the military-political leadership of the Syrian Arab Republic, addressed to the Belarusian side, to take part in a mission to provide humanitarian assistance in the territory of the SAR, sending a Belarusian military contingent to the SAR for this purpose," the draft agreement says.
The number of the Belarusian contingent will be up to 200 people, it will be involved in carrying out activities exclusively for humanitarian purposes outside the combat zone.
During their stay in Syria, the Belarusian military will promptly obey the Russian center for reconciliation of the warring parties, but will remain under the command of the authorized body of the Belarusian side.
The contingent will be deployed in the locations of the Russian aviation group. The Russian side will provide the Belarusian military with accommodation, meals and an interpreter. In addition, she undertakes to ensure their evacuation in case of danger.
The Belarusian military will have the right to carry and use weapons in "the locations of the Russian aviation group in accordance with the procedure established by the authorized bodies of the parties." The Russian side will train and train the Belarusian military.
The Russian military operation in Syria has been carried out since September 30, 2015. The aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces supports the ground operations of the Syrian army. Russia in Syria has a base with combat aircraft at the Khmeimim airfield and a Navy base in Tartus.
In Syria, special Operations units of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, military police, military personnel of the Russian center for reconciliation of the warring parties perform tasks.
In December 2017, a significant reduction of the Russian group in Syria was announced.
