Int'l Journalists Injured During Artillery Shelling of Syria's Latakia

At least 33 Russian and foreign journalists, including RT Spanish and RT Arabic staff, have come under artillery shelling of Syria's northern province of Latakia, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported Tuesday.

Over 30 reporters from Russia, China, Germany, United States, Canada, Bulgaria and Greece have came under artillery shelling near the Turkish border on Tuesday. The incident took place near the border town of Kessab in the Latakia province.

The Russian Defense Ministry said that the shelling had been conducted near the Turkish border.

"The shelling came near the border with Turkey, from the town of Dama near Idlib," Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said.

The attack took place during a press tour to population areas, which have been agreed to participate in the ceasefire deal, to see civilians returning to their homes, the Russian Defense Ministry spokesman said.

Journalists from RT Spanish Boris Kuznetsov, RT Arabic Hassan Nasr, RT cameraman Khaled Eldera and Ruptly cameraman Aleksandr Tikhomirov have came under shelling.

"We came under shelling about 3km from the Turkish border. Thankfully, everyone is OK. There was a group of journalists there, both Russians and foreigners," Kuznetsov told RT.

Journalists from China, Canada and Bulgaria have sustained minor injuries in the attack. Those injured were promptly provided with medical assistance.

According to Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, a total of eight shells were fired and fell at a distance of 150 to 400 meters from the journalists. "As a result, journalists received minor injuries."

According to a source in the Syrian army, al-Nusra Front terrorist group, which is not included in the ceasefire deal as well as Daesh, has been responsible for the shelling.

The shelling comes after the cessation of hostilities had come into effect at midnight on February 27. Earlier, the United States and Russia reached an agreement on a ceasefire between the Syrian government and opposition groups to help end the country’s civil war.