Lebanese sources familiar with military and political developments in Syria have also previously told Reuters that Russians are taking part in military operations in the country.
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Russian Federation says the military aid is aimed at combating terrorism in accordance with worldwide law.
“When we say militarily, it doesn’t mean – as claimed by some in the Western media – that Iran has sent an army or armed forces to Syria“.
“Secretary Kerry made clear that Russia’s continued support for President Assad risks exacerbating and extending the conflict, and undermining our shared goal of fighting extremism”, the State Department stated. The reported cited a Syrian military source.
Activists said Syrian government war planes had mounted at least 12 air strikes in Raqqa, often described as Islamic State’s de facto capital. Until recently, Russian Federation had seemed to agree with that policy.
The two countries have been at odds over their roles in Syria, with the USA supporting moderate rebels looking to depose Bashar al Assad, and Moscow continuing to be a staunch ally of the embattled president.
Anxious about accidentally coming to blows with Russian personnel in Syria, Israeli officials said last week they were in contact with the Russian government.
But thus far Kerry and the rest of the Obama administration have been totally flummoxed about what to do about it other than issue “stern” warnings – because we all know how that makes Putin tremble in his boots. Other officials said later that national security adviser Susan Rice had signed off on the talks and that Defense Secretary Ash Carter had agreed.
The White House said Thursday it is open to talks with Russian Federation over coordination in the fight against Islamic State forces in Syria.
Washington views Assad as a pariah who shoulders the blame for driving Syria into a civil war that has killed 240,000 people and displaced four million. “Three — we should find an elegant way for Assad to step aside”, Ahtisaari told the newspaper.
Russia’s foreign ministry said Lavrov had stressed the need to create a united front to battle terrorist groups in Syria.
The American war effort in Syria has seen recent setbacks.
The US suspended military relations with Russia a year ago over the Russian invasion and annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region.
A Pentagon official said the United States military has no immediate plans to reopen ties but that “senior leaders continue to have the discretion to communicate with their counterparts as necessary”. Kerry will discuss the matter with Hammond during a visit to London this weekend.
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“You have a conversation in order to do that, ” Kerry said after Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov proposed the talks.
