Morocco extends humanitarian assistance to Syria following dam collapse

Morocco has extended humanitarian assistance to Syria following the collapse of the Zeyzoun dam that killed twenty-two persons, left hundreds homeless and caused serious material damage.

Two aircraft loaded with 4,400 blankets and 300 tents landed Thursday at Damascus airport while a third plane carrying drugs, foodstuffs and tents is expected in Damascus this Friday.

Immediately after he heard the news of the dam collapse on Wednesday, King Mohammed sent Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad a message expressing condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the Syrian president, to the bereaved families and to the whole Syrian people following the tragic incident, and gave instructions to the Moroccan rescue and relief departments to extend emergency assistance to Syria.

Moroccan ambassador to Syria told the Syrian committee that took delivery of the Moroccan assistance that the move is but the expression of solidarity and brotherhood between Morocco and Syria.

The Zeyzoun dam in northern Syria collapsed Tuesday night flooding several villages and hundreds of hectares.

The dam, which was built in 1996 over the Orontes River, burst near the town of Idlib, north of capital city Damascus.