Russia launched its first airstrikes in Syria on Wednesday hours after President Putin’s request to use military force was approved by Russian parliament.
Russian defence officials asserted that they carried out 20 missions targeting the Islamic State but this was quickly disputed by the United States, activists and rebels on the ground. The BBC reported that the airstrikes had hit rebel-controlled areas of Homs and Hama provinces and others reported that targets attacked were all opposed to the Assad regime.
Earlier on Wednesday, US Secretary of State, John Kerry told the UN Security Council that the US would support “any genuine effort to fight Isil and al-Qaida affiliated groups” but that they “would have grave concerns should Russia strike targets where Isil and al-Qaida affiliated targets [were not] operating.” He emphasized the need for Russia and the US to coordinate efforts in the region saying, “[w]e have informed Russia that were are prepared to hold these deconfliction talks as early as possible: this week.”
The Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov addressing the UN Security Council shortly after similarly spoke about their willingness to communicate: “We have informed the authorities of the United States and other members of the coalition created by the Americans and are ready to forge standing channels of communication to ensure the maximum effective fight against the terrorist groups.”
Kerry in his remarks made clear though that Bashar al-Assad must step down and that the US “…must not and will not be confused in our fight against Isil with support for Assad.”
Later in the day Kerry and Lavrov held a joint press conference after meeting in which Kerry said they agreed it was “imperative” to “avoid escalating [the conflict] in any way or seeing it intensified beyond anyone’s control.” Lavrov added that they would keep military and diplomatic channels open. Kerry confirmed that talks concerning military coordination to avoid clashes in Syria would happen “as soon as possible”.
Russian defence officials asserted that they carried out 20 missions targeting the Islamic State but this was quickly disputed by the United States, activists and rebels on the ground. The BBC reported that the airstrikes had hit rebel-controlled areas of Homs and Hama provinces and others reported that targets attacked were all opposed to the Assad regime.
Earlier on Wednesday, US Secretary of State, John Kerry told the UN Security Council that the US would support “any genuine effort to fight Isil and al-Qaida affiliated groups” but that they “would have grave concerns should Russia strike targets where Isil and al-Qaida affiliated targets [were not] operating.” He emphasized the need for Russia and the US to coordinate efforts in the region saying, “[w]e have informed Russia that were are prepared to hold these deconfliction talks as early as possible: this week.”
The Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov addressing the UN Security Council shortly after similarly spoke about their willingness to communicate: “We have informed the authorities of the United States and other members of the coalition created by the Americans and are ready to forge standing channels of communication to ensure the maximum effective fight against the terrorist groups.”
Kerry in his remarks made clear though that Bashar al-Assad must step down and that the US “…must not and will not be confused in our fight against Isil with support for Assad.”
Later in the day Kerry and Lavrov held a joint press conference after meeting in which Kerry said they agreed it was “imperative” to “avoid escalating [the conflict] in any way or seeing it intensified beyond anyone’s control.” Lavrov added that they would keep military and diplomatic channels open. Kerry confirmed that talks concerning military coordination to avoid clashes in Syria would happen “as soon as possible”.