Syrian serviceman dies in shelling by militants in Aleppo province

Syrian serviceman was killed in the province of Aleppo in a shelling by militants, head of the Russian Center for reconciliation of the conflicting sides Lt. Gen. Sergei Solomatin told reporters on Wednesday.

"One ceasefire violation was registered over the last 24 hours in the Idlib de-escalation zone. Militants from illegal armed groups shelled the settlement of Ez-Ziara in the province of Aleppo. One serviceman of the Syrian Armed Forces died in the shelling," Solomatin said.

He also noted that in accordance with Syrian President Bashar Assad's decree from October 9, the Syrian authorities continue work on granting amnesty to persons evading military service, including refugees and former members of illegal armed groups. As of 4 December 2018, a total of 14,856 people were granted amnesty.

Solomatin added that in the past 24 hours, representatives of the Russian Reconciliation Center carried out a humanitarian operation in the settlement of Hmeymat-ez-Daer in the province of Aleppo. A total of 500 food packages were distributed in the operation, he said.