Russian says military base in Syria sheltering 8,000 displaced

AFP
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A picture taken during a press tour provided by the Russian Armed Forces on September 12, 2017 shows a Russian Kamov helicopter flies near S-300 missile system at the Hmeimim military base in Latakia province, in the northwest of Syria. (File/AFP)

MOSCOW: Russia is sheltering at its Hmeimim military air base in western Syria more than 8,000 Syrians who fled a wave of sectarian mass killings, Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman said Thursday.
“The Russian air base at Hmeimim has opened its doors to local residents fleeing from the pogroms... Our military have given refuge to more than 8,000 people,” Maria Zakharova told reporters at a regular briefing.