The Russian military together with the Syrian army soldiers built a temporary bridge over the Euphrates river in the province of Deir ez-Zor, the head of the river crossing Nikolay Glukhov told reporters.
He added that the crossing point of the river in the province was chosen taking into account the depth and strength of the current. "Over four and a half meters (depth) - this will already be a critical water level. That is, the pontoon may not stay at the water's edge, it can simply be destroyed or flooded," Glukhov said.
The bridge was deployed together with the Russian military by Syrian army soldiers, who gained a lot of experience during the operation. "Our Russian comrades are very demanding. They have a work plan, and we adhere to it, even if we think that we can do everything," said Ibrahim al-Amam, a Lieutenant in the engineering service of the Syrian army, a participant in the work to guide the crossing.
After directing the crossing, they worked out the passage of military equipment under a smokescreen. In parallel with the established permanent crossing on the Euphrates, a temporary ferry is also operating. It is necessary during the rainy season, when the water level in the river may rise above the critical level. Ferry drivers are trained by Russian specialists using equipment that is also imported from Russia.
"We don't have much experience yet, but we have good teachers from Russia. The car is simple and reliable, you can rely on it in difficult moments for crossing. It is most difficult to transport tanks - they are very heavy. Almost to the limit. But I have already completed such tasks," ferry driver Abdel Qari Hani told reporters.
In addition to military equipment, civilian vehicles, such as trucks with trailers, also pass through the temporary crossing. There is an alternative route, but it is longer for those engaged in cargo transportation. "I am engaged in the delivery of various goods and go here several times a day. There is another bridge further down the river, which was built by the Iranians - mainly for their own needs. But it is much smaller and more difficult to drive on it. And you have to pay for it, it's expensive for me," said truck driver Khalid Daut. All equipment - military and civilian - is carefully checked before entering the ferry or crossing. The Euphrates River flows on the territory of three states, the total length is about 2.7 thousand kilometers.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Center for Reconciliation in Syria / TASS
Based on materials from RIA Novosti