Turkey Shoots Down Unidentified Aircraft Near Syria

Moscow says its strikes have targeted the Islamic State group and other "terrorists" but rebels and their backers accuse Russian Federation of targeting moderate and Islamist opposition forces rather than IS. The Observatory, which relies on a network of activists inside Syria, said hundreds of Russian airstrikes over the past three weeks have killed 370 people, including 127 civilians.

United States jets have had multiple run-ins with Russian aircraft since the Russians began airstrikes over Syria, though only one has forced an USA aircraft to change its course to avoid an incident, said Col. Steve Warren, a spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve.

While he added that the exercises weren't aimed at any particular country, the West's ties with Russia have been strained over both Syria and Moscow's role in the crisis in Ukraine.

According to Cook, specific safety protocols were established for air crews of both sides to follow, including maintaining professional airmanship, the use of specific communication frequencies and the establishment of a communication line on the ground. They agreed to keep a "safe distance" between aircraft, Cook said, but he would not say whether specific distances were written into the memo.

In Moscow, Russia's Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies that signing the memorandum was a positive step that has "important practical meaning". "In fact, far from it, we continue to believe that Russia's strategy in Syria is counterproductive, and their support for the Assad regime will only make Syria's civil war worse".

After the agreement's implementation, 24/7 communication will be established between Russian and American military commanders. Any "potential aggressor should take note of the capabilities and the readiness that we're demonstrating", said Vershbow. "I think they know we don't need more of Charlie Crist".

Turkish air force planes have downed a drone of unknown origin which had violated Turkey's air space near the Syrian border, the military said.

 

Dunford also said Iraqi leaders told him that the planned intelligence co-ordinationcentre operated by the Russians and Iranians in Baghdad hadn't done anything yet.

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