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U.S. says won't cooperate militarily with Russia in Syria.
As reported byReuters, The United States will not cooperate militarily with Russia in Syria because Moscow's strategy is "tragically flawed", U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Wednesday in his strongest comments yet on the issue.
However, the United States is willing to hold basic, technical discussions with the Russians to try to secure pilot safety.
"We are not prepared to cooperate in a strategy which as we explained is flawed, tragically flawed on Russia's part," Carter said …
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Turkey says Russian strikes weaken fight against ISIS.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu criticised Russian airstrikes in Syria, insisting they weaken the fight against ISIS. He said only two of Russia's 57 air strikes in Syria had hit Islamic State militants, while the rest had been against the "moderate" opposition forces. While targeting Syrian opposition these strikes help strengthen the Islamic State group, Mr. Davutoglu said on Wednesday and warned that Turkey would not compromise on border security after Russian warplanes violated its …
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Russian warships attack targets in Syria.
As reported, at his meeting with President Putin Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that Russian warships of Caspian Flotilia have launched a total of 26 cruise missiles at IS facilities in Syria, destroying all targets. The strikes came from Russia’s fleet based the Caspian Sea, which borders Russia, Iran and three other littoral countries."Four of our destroyers launched 26 cruise missiles at 11 targets from the Kalibr Marine Base". Mr Shoigu insisted the operation destroyed all …
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NATO says Russian explanation on Turkish airspace unacceptable.
NATO rejects Moscow's explanation that its warplanes violated the air space of alliance member Turkey by mistake.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg described the incidents as "extremely dangerous" and "unacceptable". He also expressed deep concern over reports of a substantial Russian military build-up, including ground troops and ships in the eastern Mediterranean.
At the same time, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said he was losing patience with Russian violations of his country's …
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U.S. to put more pressure on ISIS in Syria.
According to U.S. military and administration officials, the U.S.-led coalition fighting ISIS has begun preparing to open a major front in northeastern Syria, aiming to put pressure on Raqqa, the terrorist group’s de facto capital.Two important steps were approved last week by President Obama to set the offensive in motion, officials said. Mr. Obama ordered the Pentagon, for the first time, to directly provide ammunition and perhaps some weapons to Syrian opposition forces on the ground.He also …
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Russian jet violates Turkish airspace.
According to Turkish foreign ministry, Turkish F-16 fighter jets intercepted a Russian warplane that violated Turkey's air space.The incident occurred Saturday in the Yayladagi region of Turkey's southern Hatay province.
Turkish authorities called in the Russian ambassador and lodged a strong condemnation of the violation. "The Russian Federation will be responsible for any undesired incident that may occur," the foreign ministry warned.
Russia said the incident was a "navigational error" and …
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Turkey concerned over Russian strikes in Syria.
Turkish President Erdogan said that Russian air strikes against the anti-Assad forces in Syria are “unacceptable” and warned that these air strikes may alienate Moscow in the region.Erdoğan said he expressed his views on Russia's air strikes during his visit to Moscow at the end of September, as well as in a recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “It saddens us that Moscow is taking such steps despite Turkey. We have a 911km border with Syria. Russia doesn’t have a border. In …
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Normandy Quartet Leaders meet in Paris over Ukraine.
The leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine are meeting in Paris today to consolidate a fragile peace in Ukraine, as the conflict is overshadowed by President Vladimir Putin's dramatic intervention in Syria's war.
The summit’s main objective is to overcome existing obstacles to the Minsk ceasefire deal and to discuss additional measures to ensure adherence to it.Fighting has all but stopped in eastern Ukraine and with peace closer than ever leaders are seeking a lasting political …
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Russian hackers target Clinton's emails.
Russian based hackers tried to infiltrate Hillary Clinton’s home email server.Five attempts have been made to break into her computer under disguise of emails purporting to be New York parking tickets.The malicious emails with fake New York police address included the instructions “to plead, print out the enclosed ticket” and an attached file named “Ticket-728-2011.zip”.As reported, these emails contained a zip file with software, directing an infected computer to transmit information to three …
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Saudi Arabia concerned over Russian strikes in Syria.
Saudi Arabia demands that Russia stop its military operations against targets in Syria.Being a leading adversary of Assad regime, the Saudis noted Russian strikes had caused civilian casualties while failing to target the hardline Islamic State militants Moscow says it opposes.Speaking at the United Nations in New York on Wednesday, a senior Saudi diplomat said: "The delegation of my country expresses its profound concern regarding the military operations which Russian forces have carried out …