“This is the problem with the United States”.
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A USA – and Russian-backed ceasefire agreed in late February has largely fallen apart, partly because there is no agreement over the exact location of fighters belonging to the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, which is a legitimate target in United Nations eyes. The Obama administration has blamed Russian Federation for attacking anti-Assad rebels that the USA and its allies consider moderates.
U.S. proposes joint facility with Russian Federation to target al Qaeda in Syria Under cover of nuclear deal, Iran foments regional instability Overnight Cybersecurity: EU poised to finalize Privacy Shield MORE is traveling to Moscow Thursday, where he is widely expected to discuss the proposal. “I’ll have comments going to Moscow”.
Kerry met Putin at the Kremlin for three hours until 1am local time. “I send the President my best wishes, and hope that you can report that we have moved forward on our issues, as a result of these talks”, he said.
Reflecting Pentagon opposition to Kerry’s initiative, Defense Secretary Ash Carter has little faith that Russian Federation can be trusted to abide by the agreement, CNN reported, citing unidentified defense officials.
“They’re not serious”, Assad said, according to NBC News.
Syria’s civil war erupted in 2011 when Assad brutally suppressed anti-government demonstrations and has evolved into catastrophe that has left more than 280,000 dead.
Reports says Secretary Kerry, who is due in Moscow later Thursday, will discuss with Russian Federation efforts to salvage a cessation of hostilities in Syria, as well as a possible joint military pact to target Islamic State militants in the country. Both the USA and Russian Federation are active in Syria. He said his group would continue fighting alongside Nusra.
He declined to comment on a Washington Post report that the United States was proposing increased cooperation and intelligence-sharing with Russian Federation to identify and target Islamic State and al Qaeda operations in Syria. Assad has been accused of deliberately targeting civilians during the violence, a charge he flatly denies. Each country would maintain separate offices, as well as staff a joint coordination center “to exchange intelligence and operational information”.
The plan calls for the creation of a Joint Implementation Group, to be based in Jordan, which will facilitate intelligence sharing of al-Nusra locations in order to identify targets for strikes, as well as other elements of military cooperation.
The document said both countries “should coordinate procedures to permit integrated operations” if they decide such operations are in their interests. “She worked with the terrorists, and because she came illegally, she’s been responsible of everything that befall on her”, said Mr Assad, speaking in English.
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Meanwhile, operations against ISIS would be “independent, but synchronized”, the proposal says.
