The influence of Iran and Russia in Iraq has troubled United States officials, who have accused the Russians of targeting Syrian opposition groups with air strikes on the pretext of fighting ISIL. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said the second shell hit about 200 metres from the embassy compound.
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In 2012, rebel groups controlled large chunks of the city, but lost ground the following year to Syrian troops backed by Hezbollah.
US Defence Secretary Ash Carter said the talks between the United States and Russian militaries would aim to ensure Moscow follows “basic safety procedures” over Syria. “The cooperation between Syria, Iraq, Iran and Russian Federation has been positive and successful”, he said. The Russian delegation could be led by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, which would also include top officials from the military and special services.
Washington has been increasing support for rebel groups it backs in Syria, and one group said Tuesday that U.S.-made anti-tank missiles were turning the tide in a major battle in the country’s center and northwest.
He also took issue with a decision by a US-led coalition to parachute in ammunition to rebels in Syria, saying the weapons could end up in the wrong hands.
Russian Federation began its air campaign in Syria on September 30, helping support Assad and his embattled troops at a critical point in the fighting.
According to one senior US official the offensive is aimed at “retaking what was once an Alawite stronghold for the Assad regime”.
That development came the same day that USA and Russian defense officials held their third video conference aimed at reaching an understanding governing aerial operations since Russian military jets began their own bombing campaign in Syria.
Of the 80 airstrikes the US believes the Russians have conducted, “only a fraction” are against ISIS targets, Warren said. “Resolving the matter through politics is the only solution that most suits the interests of the Syrian people”, the editorial said.
Three senior Iranian commanders have been killed in Syria in the past week, pointing toward an increased involvement.
In a sign of the risks involved, a Russian Su-30 fighter jet flew within about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) to 3 kilometers of a USA warplane on October 10 during a mission in Aleppo Province, according to a statement by the Defense Ministry in Moscow on Wednesday.
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Supported by two weeks of air strikes, the Syrian army and its allies have been fighting insurgents in northern Hama province, and neighbouring Idlib and Latakia provinces, trying to reverse rebel gains over the summer which had threatened the coastal heartlands of Assad’s Alawite minority.
