Population of Syrian Deir ez-Zor Grows Sixfold Since End of Fighting - Governor

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The population of the Syrian province of Deir ez-Zor has increased sixfold since the end of hostilities in the area, the governor of the province, Abdul Majeed al-Kawakibi, said on Wednesday.

"The success achieved with the support of the Syrian government in the province of Deir ez-Zor has allowed citizens to return to their homes. As a result, the population has increased from 200,000 to 1.18 million people," al-Kawakibi said at a meeting of the joint Russia-Syria coordination center on refugee repatriation.

READ MORE: At Least 20 Civilians Killed by US-Led Coalition Strike in Deir Ez-Zor — Reports

To promote the return of refugees, the authorities of the province are expanding services and opening new areas of accommodation, especially in rural parts of the province, he added.

"The restoration of social facilities and infrastructure focuses on the restoration of schools. As of today, the number of fully functioning schools has increased from 36 to 265, and the number of students has reached 93,400. The process of reconstruction continues," al-Kawakibi said.

Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with the government forces fighting against numerous opposition groups and terrorist organizations. Since the Syrian government has regained control over most of the country's territories that were seized by terrorists, it is now focused on creating favorable conditions for repatriating refugees.

Moscow is assisting Damascus in this process, along with providing humanitarian aid to civilians and being a guarantor of the ceasefire.