Armenia sends mine-clearing experts, doctors to Syria

YEREVAN, Armenia – Armenia has sent a team of experts to Syria on a Russia-backed mission to help clear mines and provide medical assistance.

Armenian Defense Ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan said Saturday the team of 83 includes de-mining experts, medical personnel and security officers. He said it will defuse mines and provide medical help to residents of Aleppo, in northern Syria.

Before the war, Aleppo was home to 110,000 ethnic Armenians, one of the world's largest Armenian diasporas. About 22,000 have since moved to Armenia.

Russia, which has conducted a military campaign to shore up Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, will transport the Armenian team to Syria and provide logistical support, according to Hovhannisyan. Russia is Armenia's main ally and has a military base in the country.