Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria

Centre for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides and Refugee Migration Monitoring in the Syrian Arab Republic
Центр по примирению враждующих сторон и контролю за перемещением беженцев в Сирийской Арабской Республике
Emblem of the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria
Active23 February 2016 – present
Country Russia
Size50< servicemen
Part ofRussian Armed Forces
Garrison/HQKhmeimim Air Base, Syria
EngagementsRussian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War
Commanders
Current
commander
Ctr. Adm. Oleg Zhuravlyov
Notable
commanders
Lt. Gen. Sergey Kuralenko
Lt. Gen. Sergey Chvarkov

The Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria, officially known as the Centre for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides and Refugee Migration Monitoring in the Syrian Arab Republic, founded 23 February 2016, states that it is a "peace monitoring center and information office" whose stated aim is to speed the peace negotiations between the Syrian Arab Republic and opposition groups.[citation needed] It is a joint Turkish-Russian government enterprise founded in agreement with the US-led coalition[citation needed] and is headquartered in Khmeimim Air Base, Latakia, Syria. It is also reportedly tasked with coordinating humanitarian missions and organizing localities to sign up to ceasefire agreements.[1]

In May 2017, the reconciliation center was able to deliver 4.7 tonnes of humanitarian aid in 10 missions within 24 hours, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.[2]

The Russian Reconciliation Center has also made allegations about what they called "video brigades" carrying out staged filming of made-up scenes after airstrikes, shelling and incidents involving chemical weapons. It has also alleged that "consultants" for the "brigades" were known to locals as Al Jazeera cameramen.[3][unreliable source?] Al Jazeera has denied similar claims.[4]

  1. ^ "Reconciliation process in Syria supported by 1,475 settlements". TASS. 30 April 2017. Retrieved 2020-03-04.
  2. ^ "Russia delivers 5 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Syria in past 24 hours: Defense Ministry". Xinhua News Agency. 15 May 2017. Retrieved 2020-03-04.
  3. ^ "Ex-Member Admits White Helmets' Fabrication of Videos, Possession of Prohibited Chemicals in Syria". Fars News Agency. 14 May 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-08-03.
  4. ^ "Al Jazeera responds to Sputnik chemical attack report". Al Jazeera. 4 May 2017. Retrieved 2020-03-04.