In War-torn Syria, Russian Aid Helps Families Survive

Rastan, Syria, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Aug, 2018 ) :In regime-held central Syria, Suleiman Berber carried his son in his arms, anxiously observing Russian soldiers unload food parcels from a truck.

His face suddenly lit up as his wife managed to grab one, while journalists on a media tour with Russia's army watched on.

Seven years into Syria's civil war, some 6.5 million people in the country are unable to meet their food needs, the United Nations says.

In the town of Rastan in the central province of Homs, 31-year-old Berber said he and his family depend on aid from government ally Russia to survive.

Before the regime returned to Rastan, "it was really tough. We didn't have enough to eat or drink," said Berber, dark rings under his eyes.

"Now there's this aid, it's better." Around him, dozens of Syrians and their children, many dressed in dusty clothes, gathered to receive parcels of rice, flour and condensed milk.

Each package bore Russia's flag and the message "Russia is with you" in Cyrillic script.

Backed by Russian warplanes since 2015, President Bashar al-Assad's regime has recovered large parts of Syria through a combination of deadly bombing campaigns, crippling sieges and surrender deals.

Assad's forces took back control of Rastan in May, under an agreement that saw rebels and their family members bused out of the town and up to northern Syria.