Russia to provide assistance to Syria in earthquake, EU to send rescue teams only to Turkey

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu instructed the commander of Russian troops in Syria to help the country's authorities eliminate the consequences of the earthquake that occurred in the country, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.

Earlier in the day, strong tremors were felt by residents of Damascus and Latakia in Syria as a result of a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that occurred in neighboring Turkey at at 01:17 GMT. Later, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said that it recorded another earthquake of 7.8 magnitude in central part of Turkey at 10:24 GMT.

"Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has given instructions to the commander of the Russian group of troops in Syria to assist in eliminating the consequences of the earthquake that occurred on the territory of the republic," the statement said.

The ministry added that 10 joint task forces of the Russian military consisting of 300 servicemen and 60 equipment units in Syria will help in eliminating the consequences of the earthquake.
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2. The Syrian government on Monday urged the international community to come to its aid after more than 850 people died in the country following a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in neighbouring Turkey.

"Syria appeals to member states of the United Nations... the International Committee of the Red Cross and other humanitarian" groups to support "efforts to face the devastating earthquake", the foreign ministry said in a statement.
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3. EU to send rescue teams only to Turkey after deadly earthquake kills hundreds and in Syria
The European Union is sending rescue teams and preparing further help for Turkey after a major earthquake hit Turkey and Syria, the bloc’s crisis management commissioner said Monday.

“Teams from the Netherlands and Romania are already on their way,” with the EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Center overseeing their deployment, commissioner Janez Lenarcic tweeted.