Russia says refugee camp in Syria to be evacuated

The Russian military says the Syrian government is sending convoys to evacuate a refugee camp in southern Syria where tens of thousands suffer from lack of food and medical supplies.

Moscow: The Russian military says the Syrian government is sending convoys to evacuate a refugee camp in southern Syria where tens of thousands suffer from lack of food and medical supplies.

Colonel General Mikhail Mizintsev said the Syrian convoys are heading on Friday to the Rukban camp and urged the US military in the area to secure its safe passage.

Russia has blamed the US for failing to provide normal conditions in the camp, which is home to about 40,000 people.

Mizintsev said the US military was "obliged to provide safe passage" for convoys to pass through its zone of control.

The Russian military said it will work together with the Syrian army to escort the convoys as they head to temporary accommodation centres for refugees established in several Syrian provinces.

(With inputs from APTN)