Russia's Top Investigator, Syrian Officials Discuss Joint Cooperation

Russian military vehicles are seen in eastern Ghouta near Douma, in Damascus (Reuters)
Russian military vehicles are seen in eastern Ghouta near Douma, in Damascus (Reuters)
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Russia's Top Investigator, Syrian Officials Discuss Joint Cooperation

Russian military vehicles are seen in eastern Ghouta near Douma, in Damascus (Reuters)
Russian military vehicles are seen in eastern Ghouta near Douma, in Damascus (Reuters)

The head of the Russian Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin, met with the head of the Syrian National Security Bureau, Ali Mamlouk, and Justice Minister Ahmed al-Sayyid to discuss joint cooperation in countering terrorism.

In a statement issued following the meeting, the Russian committee announced that the two parties discussed the results of joint work in combating extremism as well as the recent developments of the investigation into the death of Russian servicemen who were killed in an attack earlier in Syria.

In addition, the parties agreed to further expand cooperation to strengthen the Syrian legitimate authority.

The spokeswoman of the Russian Investigative Committee, Svetlana Petrenko, announced that Bastrykin and Mamlouk agreed to further expand cooperation between the Russian and Syrian security agencies.

The two parties also discussed exchanging intelligence information as well as scientific and training experiences, including improving quality of training specialists from both countries.

Later, Bastrykin held a meeting at the Russian embassy in Damascus to arrange full logistical support for the investigations into the attack on Russian military personnel last August, which killed a general and injured two soldiers.

The Russian official also visited Russian Hmeimim air base, near Latakia, and discussed the recent results with the investigation team that submitted its initial report.



Lebanese Red Cross Will Try Again to Remove Bodies from Israeli Strike Site

A picture taken from the area of Marjeyoun in southern Lebanon shows explosions over buildings in the town of Khiam, during Israeli bombardment on October 31, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)
A picture taken from the area of Marjeyoun in southern Lebanon shows explosions over buildings in the town of Khiam, during Israeli bombardment on October 31, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)
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Lebanese Red Cross Will Try Again to Remove Bodies from Israeli Strike Site

A picture taken from the area of Marjeyoun in southern Lebanon shows explosions over buildings in the town of Khiam, during Israeli bombardment on October 31, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)
A picture taken from the area of Marjeyoun in southern Lebanon shows explosions over buildings in the town of Khiam, during Israeli bombardment on October 31, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)

The Lebanese Red Cross will send another convoy Tuesday to Wata al-Khiam in southern Lebanon to search for and remove the bodies of 15 people killed in an Israeli airstrike, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said.

Paramedics accessed the site of the strike two days prior and removed five other bodies, but needed to return with larger vehicles to remove the rubble.

The NNA said the deployment is in coordination with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, which is the usual procedure.

The Red Cross did not immediately comment on the news, but expressed concern in recent weeks over several instances where Israel has struck in or close to areas where they have deployed paramedics to search for wounded people and casualties.

The Israeli military said it issued warnings to the residents there in late October to evacuate ahead of strikes on Hezbollah militant targets, and told ambulances to avoid the area.