Russian officials have confirmed a steady flow of Syrian refugees that have begun settling in the Perm region of the country, according to local media on April 10.

Regional Human Rights Commissioner Igor Sapko met with refugees from Syria who have arrived in Perm, Russia, Ridus.ru reported on April 10.

The people from the Syrian Latakia region, which is where many of the Alawite minority live, have come under increasing attacks by militants close to the new Turkish-backed Sunni regime in Damascus led by newly-installed President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who claimed those killed were remnants of the former regime.

Videos recorded in Latakia and seen by bnm IntelliNews show scenes of dead women and children murdered inside their homes as well as men summarily executed on the side of the road, recorded in recent weeks.

Following the ongoing targeting of Syrian minorities, the ombudsman said that there are doctors and teachers among the refugees who will have the opportunity to continue their professional activities in the Perm region.

On his VKontakte page, Sapko reported that the refugees received assistance in completing necessary documents. They also underwent medical examinations, thanks to the assistance of relevant regional departments. Additionally, they were provided with social, legal and psychological support.

He added that the Syrian refugees must have their education credentials verified and obtain personal SIM cards.

Issues related to compulsory health insurance policies are being handled by the Ministry of Territorial Security and the Ministry of Information Development, which are actively helping to resolve them.

The refugees also experience a shortage of seasonal clothing, especially for large families that plan to move to relatives in another region and need summer clothes.

Earlier, Russian media reported that at least 50 refugees from Syria arrived in Perm on April 6 in the first wave of removals by Russian military aircraft.

Earlier in March, Syrian minorities, including Armenian Christians and Alawites, which are part of the same religious group as the former Assad regime, were targeted by militants, with more than 1,500 men, women and children killed, according to human rights organisations. 

The new regime in Damascus has attempted to stop sectarian attacks, and has arrested some of those who killed Alawites and Christians in recent weeks, but it continues to face a growing threat from other groups, including the so-called Islamic State and Israeli troops who continue to occupy the southern areas of the country on the border with Jordan and beyond the Golan Heights.