Russian Defence Ministry Finds 300 Fresh Graves Near Rukban Camp in Syria

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that the satellite images had shown 300 fresh graves near the fence of the Rukban refugee camp located on the Syrian territory controlled by the United States.

According to the ministry, the camp is surrounded by a ditch and a fence with the US-controlled militants refusing to let refugees leave the facility.

"In fact, the camp has long time ago lost its status turning into a reservation with forcibly kept hostages. A cemetery with 300 fresh graves is found at the southern side at the fence of the camp," the ministry’s statement said.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, residents of the camp are facing poor sanitary conditions.

"Landfill sites are located near residential houses. There are no food stores and meal stations. Exchange of food and other products takes place at spontaneous mini-markets, controlled by militants," the statement added.

Минобороны России продолжает отслеживать обстановку в лагере беженцев «Эр-Рукбан»https://t.co/M31t2eon4B#Минобороны #Сирия #ЭрРукбан #ООН pic.twitter.com/ov8I0jvzKR

— Минобороны России (@mod_russia) March 5, 2019

​The Rukban camp, which houses about 40,000 displaced people, is located in the southern part of Syria, not far from Jordan. The area that became a refugee camp for Syrian residents back in 2014 is now the US-controlled zone.

READ MORE: Militants Continue to Prevent Refugees From Leaving Rukban Camp — Russian MoD

In January, the World Health Organization (WHO) described people residing in the camp as "trapped," adding that they live "in deplorable conditions." Limited water supply, bitterly cold weather and poorly functioning health care facilities contribute to the rise of diseases, which include influenza, measles, tuberculosis and chronic respiratory diseases, according to the WHO.

READ MORE: US Blocks Evacuation Convoys at Syria's Rukban Camp — Russian MoD