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WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- The White House on Wednesday reiterated the need for the United States and Russia to "deconflict" their air operations inside Syria as Russia started its first round of air strikes against the Islamic State(IS).
"Both presidents agreed that it was a priority, for both countries, that tactical, practical conversations between our militaries take place to ensure that our military activities inside of Syria are properly deconflicted," White House spokesperson Josh Earnest told reporters on Wednesday. "That continues to be a priority."
"The U.S. military officials have been in touch with their Russian counterparts already to set up those discussions," Earnest added.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Tuesday directed his staff to "open lines of communication with Russia" to de-conflict air operations in Syria, according to Pentagon press secretary.
"We expect the details of those conversations, including the exact timing of those conversations, will be worked out in the coming day," said Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook at a press briefing.
According to Cook, the purpose of the "de-confliction discussions" will be to ensure the ongoing U.S.-led coalition air strikes against the IS are not "interrupted" by any future Russian military activity and to avoid misjudgment and miscalculation.
Russian air forces carried out air strikes Wednesday in the central Syrian provinces of Homs and Hama, targeting what Moscow said were IS positions.
In the first air strikes, 20 flights were carried out, hitting "eight Islamic State targets" including a command post held by the extreme group, Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said a Russian official informed U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq prior to Russia's first ever air strikes in Syria against the IS and warned the United States to stay clear of Syrian airspace.
"The U.S.-led coalition will continue to fly missions over Iraq and Syria as planned and in support of our international mission to degrade and destroy ISIL," Kirby said in a statement, referring to the group by another acronym.
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Kerry warns of "grave concerns" about Russia's intention in Syria
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday warned of "grave concerns" about Russia's intention in Syria, hours after Moscow launched its first airstrikes against Islamic State(IS) in the war-torn country.
"We would have grave concerns should Russia strike areas where ISIL and al-Qaida-affiliated targets are not operating," Kerry said at a meeting on countering terrorism at the United Nations, using an alternate acronym for the extremist group. Full story
Russian airstrikes hit eight IS targets in Syria: Defense Ministry
MOSCOW, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Russian air forces carried out 20 sorties during the first round of air strikes against the Islamic State(IS) in Syria, hitting eight targets, including a command center, Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
Eight facilities held by the extremist group had been struck, with a command post and militant control centers in the mountainous areas of Syria being completely destroyed, according to the ministry. Full story
