Clearly all three countries need to have some sense of what the other might potentially be doing if a damaging incident is to be avoided – especially if Russian Federation intends to use its aircraft to support the Assad regime.
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Syria said on Tuesday it had received sophisticated new arms from Russian Federation, including warplanes, and deployed them against jihadists, as signs grew of a major shift in the country´s four-year conflict.
Russian deployed more combat planes at an air base near Latakia, Syria according to senior United States officials.
Two USA officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was not immediately clear how many Russian drone aircraft were operating or the scope of their missions.
Last week, Putin confirmed Israeli and American assessments that Russian Federation is increasing its military presence in Syria in support of the Assad regime.
“Yes, they have increased aircraft and there are certain kinds of aircraft there which, depending on what Russia’s decision is about its long-term intentions, could raise questions”, Kerry said.
Putin met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday and discussed coordination between the two militaries to prevent unintentional conflict in Syria.
President Putin assured Netanyahu that “Syria in general is in such a state that it isn’t up to opening a second front” and that Russian Federation “always will be very responsible” in its Middle East engagement.
Moscow has insisted it is only fulfilling long-standing military contracts and is now on a diplomatic push to get a US-led coalition of Western and regional powers fighting the Islamic State group to join forces with Assad against the jihadists.
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Netanyahu told Putin that Russian Federation needed to know that Israel would take action to prevent these weapons transfers and thus it was important to make sure there were no misunderstandings between their military forces. “[Putin] has already spoken to the Saudis and enlisted their help on the matter; he has spoken to the Jordanians; now Israel’s turn has come; and Iran will also be in on it”. Moscow has also sent troops, tanks, temporary housing, armoured personnel carriers and artillery units to Syria in recent weeks, U.S. officials have said.
