Russia swiftly aids Syria, rescuers to arrive today

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Russian President Vladimir Putin told Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad in a phone call on Monday that Russian rescuers will depart toward Syria today in order to provide all required assistance and support following the devastating earthquake that struck the West Asian country and Turkey late last night.

"In the nearest hours, rescuers from the Russian emergency ministry will take off for Syria," the Kremlin said.

On Monday, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit central Turkey and northwest Syria, killing over 1000 people and wounding hundreds, according to current tolls, as buildings collapsed across the region, prompting searches for survivors among the rubble, with the death toll expected to rise.

Russia's Defense Ministry also announced sending a team of military doctors to Syria to help the country respond to the humanitarian catastrophe.

Read more: Int'l, Arab leaders offer Syria condolences over losses in earthquake

"A mobile group of Russian military doctors has been established at the Khmeimim airbase and is in constant readiness to provide assistance, four blood donation points have been deployed, as well as a joint operational headquarters to coordinate the actions of forces and means involved in providing assistance to the Syrian side," the Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

The Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also instructed the commander of Russian troops in Syria to assist the Syrian authorities in dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake.

"Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has given instructions to the commander of the Russian group of troops in Syria to assist in eliminating the consequences of the earthquake that occurred on the territory of the republic," the Defense Ministry statement added.

10 joint task forces, consisting of 300 servicemen from the Russian military in addition to 60 equipment units in Syria, will participate in the humanitarian efforts.

Putin offers assistance to Turkey, Erdogan accepts

Russia also announced readiness to provide all needed assistance to Turkey to help deal with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that hit the country last night.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also expressed his deepest condolences to his Turkish counterpart President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a phone call on Monday, the Kremlin stated.

Horrific footage of buildings collapsing as the 7.7 magnitude #earthquake hit Central #Turkey and Northern #Syria at dawn. pic.twitter.com/UZI8rfDSJa

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) February 6, 2023

"A telephone conversation took place between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Having expressed deep condolences on the devastating earthquakes in Turkey, which caused numerous deaths, Vladimir Putin confirmed his readiness to immediately provide Turkish partners with the necessary assistance in dealing with the consequences of this natural disaster. Concrete proposals have already been sent to the Turkish side through appropriate channels," the statement said.

On his part, Erdogan thanked Putin and told him that he accepts the assistance proposal and has instructed "the country's competent agencies to accept the help of Russian rescue teams."

Infograph: The aftermath of the horrific earthquake in Turkey and Syria