Syria has criticized the evacuation from Syria of hundreds of Syrian White Helmet rescue workers to Jordan. A Syrian foreign ministry official called the action a “criminal process” that showed the “true nature” of the White Helmets. The comments were reported by Syria’s state-run SANA news service.

The official said the evacuation demonstrated the involvement of Israel, the United States and other western allies in supporting the White Helmets. The group has received support from the U.S. and other Western nations.

The volunteer group - officially known as Syria Civil Defense - was formed in 2013. It includes workers who enter attack areas before anyone else to rescue people in rebel-held territory.

The group says it is neutral in Syria’s civil war. But the Syrian government has accused the White Helmets of working to help rebel fighters. Syrian officials have called the White Helmets a “terrorist group.”

Aliqismet BADALOV,

“Khalq qazeti”