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| Russia begins airstrikes in Syria areas 'belonging to terrorists' – live updates | Russia begins airstrikes in Syria areas 'belonging to terrorists' – live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 6.04pm BST18:04 | |
| White House: Russian military cannot succeed alone | |
| Russia’s campaign in Syria will succeed no more than military solutions in Iraq or Afghanistan, press secretary Josh Earnest has told reporters in a briefing at the White House. | |
| “Russia will not succeed in imposing a military solution any more than the United States was successful in imposing a military solution in Iraq a decade ago, and certainly any more than Russia was able to impose a military solution in Afghanistan three decades ago,” Earnest said. | |
| He also said that the increased Russian military presence in Syria “is an indication of how concerned they are of losing influence in the one client state they have in the Middle East.” | |
| Earnest ducks questions about whom the Russian air strikes have targeted, saying that the Defense Department will offer a briefing at 2pm and “is obviously reviewing the ongoing Russian military activity inside of Syria.” | |
| He says that when Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin met earlier this week they “agreed that it was a priority for both coutnries that tactical, practical conversations between our militaries take place”. | |
| “US military officials have been in touch with their Russian counterparts already,” he added. But it is “too early to say what targets they were aiming at and what targets were hit,” he adds. | |
| 5.48pm BST17:48 | |
| On YouTube and social media, Syrians have been posting videos that, while unverified, appear to show Russian strikes and their consequences, my colleague Kareem Shaheen has rounded up several while reporting from Beirut. | |
| One appears to show Russian warplanes at a distance; a second shows the aftermath of an attack in Homs, with plumes of smoke, ruined homes and someone declaring the “criminality” of the Kremlin. A third video shows civilians pulling victims out from under rubble, and in a fourth a Syrian rebel with the group known as “Tajammu al Izzah” claims that his headquarters was targetd. | |
| Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has denied the reports, telling LifeNews television channel that the reports of civilian casualties are part of an “information war”. | |
| “All this is the same sort of information attack, the same sort of information war, of which we hear so many times and which, it appears, someone prepared well,” she said. | |
| Homs journalist says Russian airstrikes are a message to the moderate opposition that "we will fight you under guise of fighting terrorism." | |
| 5.36pm BST17:36 | |
| Things are decidedly less diplomatic at the Pentagon, according to the Daily Beast’s national security correspondent. | |
| Overheard at the Pentagon: "Right now, we are Putin's prison bitch." | |
| Defense secretary Ash Carter is scheduled to brief reporters at 2pm ET; earlier this week Carter spoke with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, about the possibility of coordinating in Syria. | |
| But Russia only gave the US an hour’s notice, an official has told the BBC’s Barbara Plett. | |
| US official says US given hour's notice before #Russia began airstrikes in #Syria | |
| 5.30pm BST17:30 | |
| Russia is also ready to open “standing channels of communication” with the US-led coalition, foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday. | |
| 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,” Lavrov told the UN Security Council. | |
| Russia circulated a draft council resolution that President Vladimir Putin has said would be “aimed at coordinating the actions of all forces that confront Islamic State.” Lavrov said it would be discussed over the next month. | |
| But Lavrov added: “Mindful of the growth of the threat posed by Isis there is a need now to forge practical cooperation of the activities of all forces which are countering terrorism.” | |
| 5.22pm BST17:22 | 5.22pm BST17:22 |
| Kerry: US prepared to work with Russia and Iran | Kerry: US prepared to work with Russia and Iran |
| The United States is “prepared to work with any nation, including Russia and Iran” in resolving the Syrian crisis, Kerry says, but he re-asserts that Bashar al-Assad must step down. | The United States is “prepared to work with any nation, including Russia and Iran” in resolving the Syrian crisis, Kerry says, but he re-asserts that Bashar al-Assad must step down. |
| “The vast majority of states around this table know that the Isil forces, Isil itself, cannot be defeated so long as Bashar al-Assad remains [in power] in Syria.” | “The vast majority of states around this table know that the Isil forces, Isil itself, cannot be defeated so long as Bashar al-Assad remains [in power] in Syria.” |
| “It cannot happen because of who has lined up with whom,” he continues, and because of how the conflict began. | “It cannot happen because of who has lined up with whom,” he continues, and because of how the conflict began. |
| “This fight began when young people, young Syrians, looking for nothing but a future,” Kerry says, went out to demonstrate “and Assad sent his thugs out to beat them up. | “This fight began when young people, young Syrians, looking for nothing but a future,” Kerry says, went out to demonstrate “and Assad sent his thugs out to beat them up. |
| Parents were outraged by the fact that their children demonstrating peacefully were beaten up. And they went out with their kids and they were met by bullets. And that is how this whole thing began. | Parents were outraged by the fact that their children demonstrating peacefully were beaten up. And they went out with their kids and they were met by bullets. And that is how this whole thing began. |
| [Syrians were] met with repression, with torture, with gassing, with barrel bombs. Assad will never be accepted by those he has harmed. Never possible to be a legitimate leader in the future. | [Syrians were] met with repression, with torture, with gassing, with barrel bombs. Assad will never be accepted by those he has harmed. Never possible to be a legitimate leader in the future. |
| That cannot happen, Kerry says, until Assad choses to “decline to be part of the long-term future.” | That cannot happen, Kerry says, until Assad choses to “decline to be part of the long-term future.” |
| He adds that “the reality is that Assad has rarely chosen himself to fight Isil,” preferring to attack moderate opposition groups and allow the jihadi group and rebels to weaken each other. | He adds that “the reality is that Assad has rarely chosen himself to fight Isil,” preferring to attack moderate opposition groups and allow the jihadi group and rebels to weaken each other. |
| 5.18pm BST17:18 | 5.18pm BST17:18 |
| “Let me be clear,” Kerry says, the coalition has had success: “liberating Sinjar mountain, liberating Kobani, liberating Tikrit … defending Mosul dam, defending Haditha, protecting Baghdad”. | “Let me be clear,” Kerry says, the coalition has had success: “liberating Sinjar mountain, liberating Kobani, liberating Tikrit … defending Mosul dam, defending Haditha, protecting Baghdad”. |
| He says that after “nearly 3,000 air strikes against Isil targets” the coalition is now in position to “dramatically accelerate our efforts.” Strikes will increase in north-west Syria against Isis targets, he says, as will support for “anti-Isil” forces in north-east Syria. “We will ensure through precision air strikes that Isil leaders do not have any sanctuary anywhere on the ground in Syria.” | He says that after “nearly 3,000 air strikes against Isil targets” the coalition is now in position to “dramatically accelerate our efforts.” Strikes will increase in north-west Syria against Isis targets, he says, as will support for “anti-Isil” forces in north-east Syria. “We will ensure through precision air strikes that Isil leaders do not have any sanctuary anywhere on the ground in Syria.” |
| “As we have said from the start and as the Geneva communique codified this fight cannot be won in the military sphere. It wil requrie a political solution to the crisis in Syria.” | “As we have said from the start and as the Geneva communique codified this fight cannot be won in the military sphere. It wil requrie a political solution to the crisis in Syria.” |
| Updated at 5.29pm BST | Updated at 5.29pm BST |
| 5.13pm BST17:13 | 5.13pm BST17:13 |
| “The United States supports any genuine effort to fight Isil and al-Qaida affiliated groups, especially al-Nusra,” Kerry says. | “The United States supports any genuine effort to fight Isil and al-Qaida affiliated groups, especially al-Nusra,” Kerry says. |
| If Russia’s efforts represent a genuine commitment, “we welcome that effort”, he continues. | If Russia’s efforts represent a genuine commitment, “we welcome that effort”, he continues. |
| “But we must not and will not be confused in our fight against Isil with support for Assad. Moreover we have also made claear that we would have grave concerns should Russia strike targets where Isil and al-Qaida affilaited targets [are not] operating. “ | “But we must not and will not be confused in our fight against Isil with support for Assad. Moreover we have also made claear that we would have grave concerns should Russia strike targets where Isil and al-Qaida affilaited targets [are not] operating. “ |
| “We have informed Russia that we are prepared to hold these deconfliction talks as early as possible: this week.” | “We have informed Russia that we are prepared to hold these deconfliction talks as early as possible: this week.” |
| But US strikes will continue undaunted by Russia’s warnings to clear Syrian airspace. “The United States and coalition will continue our air operatiosn as we have from the very beginning.” | But US strikes will continue undaunted by Russia’s warnings to clear Syrian airspace. “The United States and coalition will continue our air operatiosn as we have from the very beginning.” |
| He says that there have been “a number of strikes” in the last 24 hours, “including just an hour ago. And these strikes will continue.” | He says that there have been “a number of strikes” in the last 24 hours, “including just an hour ago. And these strikes will continue.” |
| 5.06pm BST17:06 | 5.06pm BST17:06 |
| US secretary of state John Kerry is speaking before the UN security council, where Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has raised terrorism in Syria as the problem of the day. | US secretary of state John Kerry is speaking before the UN security council, where Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has raised terrorism in Syria as the problem of the day. |
| “I appreciate the fact that Russia’s presidency has chosen to focus on this issue,” Kerry opens. | “I appreciate the fact that Russia’s presidency has chosen to focus on this issue,” Kerry opens. |
| “This is a topic that the council has explored many times going back to 9/11 attacks and even before. We have come together fairly often to condemn terrorism and also to take concerted action to counter violent extremist factions. | “This is a topic that the council has explored many times going back to 9/11 attacks and even before. We have come together fairly often to condemn terrorism and also to take concerted action to counter violent extremist factions. |
| “So this is not a debate about goals, I don’t think. We all oppose the aggressive and destructive ambitions of Isil or al-Qaida. We all oppose the atrocities that they commit.” | “So this is not a debate about goals, I don’t think. We all oppose the aggressive and destructive ambitions of Isil or al-Qaida. We all oppose the atrocities that they commit.” |
| 4.56pm BST16:56 | 4.56pm BST16:56 |
| Micah Zenko, a senior fellow at the Council of Foreign Relations, tallies the players with air power in Syria, omitting only Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian government. | Micah Zenko, a senior fellow at the Council of Foreign Relations, tallies the players with air power in Syria, omitting only Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian government. |
| Eleven countries have participated in bombing Syria: US Israel Australia Bahrain Canada Jordan Saudi Arabia Turkey UAE France Russia | Eleven countries have participated in bombing Syria: US Israel Australia Bahrain Canada Jordan Saudi Arabia Turkey UAE France Russia |
| Also involved in the conflict but without air power are the jihadi militants of the Islamic State (aka Isis, Isil or Daesh), Jabhat al-Nusra (al-Qaida’s affiliate in Syria), Ahrar al-Sham (an Islamist rebel group founded in 2011 and with reported backing of Turkey and Gulf states), the Free Syrian Army and the Southern Front (two rebel groups that have formed loose coalitions since the civil war begin in 2011). | Also involved in the conflict but without air power are the jihadi militants of the Islamic State (aka Isis, Isil or Daesh), Jabhat al-Nusra (al-Qaida’s affiliate in Syria), Ahrar al-Sham (an Islamist rebel group founded in 2011 and with reported backing of Turkey and Gulf states), the Free Syrian Army and the Southern Front (two rebel groups that have formed loose coalitions since the civil war begin in 2011). |
| There are also the Kurds, fighting against Isis in northern Iraq and southern Syria, with some support from US military advisers and Baghdad, but they have also recently been bombed by Turkey, which fears the ethnic group will gain too much strength within its own borders. | There are also the Kurds, fighting against Isis in northern Iraq and southern Syria, with some support from US military advisers and Baghdad, but they have also recently been bombed by Turkey, which fears the ethnic group will gain too much strength within its own borders. |
| Updated at 5.08pm BST | Updated at 5.08pm BST |
| 4.47pm BST16:47 | 4.47pm BST16:47 |
| The state of Syria as yet another military force begins to fight. | The state of Syria as yet another military force begins to fight. |
| Updated at 4.50pm BST | Updated at 4.50pm BST |
| 4.40pm BST16:40 | 4.40pm BST16:40 |
| Syria’s official news agency has identified strike locations and claimed that Russia is targeting Isis in cooperation with the SAF, my colleague Kareem Shaheen (@kshaheen) reports from Beirut. | Syria’s official news agency has identified strike locations and claimed that Russia is targeting Isis in cooperation with the SAF, my colleague Kareem Shaheen (@kshaheen) reports from Beirut. |
| They identified the locations of the airstrikes as Rastan, Talbiseh, Zaafaran, the Red Mountains, Aidoun, Deir Foul and the surroundings of Salamieh, all in the central region of Syria (Homs and Hama provinces). | They identified the locations of the airstrikes as Rastan, Talbiseh, Zaafaran, the Red Mountains, Aidoun, Deir Foul and the surroundings of Salamieh, all in the central region of Syria (Homs and Hama provinces). |
| They claimed the attacks scored direct hits and killed and wounded militants. | They claimed the attacks scored direct hits and killed and wounded militants. |
| Ironically, though they said the Russians targeted Isis, later in the announcement they said Talbiseh includes several terrorist factions including Jabhat al Nusra, Ahrar al Sham and others, but did not mention Isis. | Ironically, though they said the Russians targeted Isis, later in the announcement they said Talbiseh includes several terrorist factions including Jabhat al Nusra, Ahrar al Sham and others, but did not mention Isis. |
| Syrian ambassador to Moscow hails start of Russian air operations in his country - the beating heart of Arabism. | Syrian ambassador to Moscow hails start of Russian air operations in his country - the beating heart of Arabism. |
| 4.31pm BST16:31 | 4.31pm BST16:31 |
| Russia warned Israel that it would begin military action in its neighbor to the north-west, my colleague Peter Beaumont (@petersbeaumont) reports from Jerusalem. | Russia warned Israel that it would begin military action in its neighbor to the north-west, my colleague Peter Beaumont (@petersbeaumont) reports from Jerusalem. |
| An hour before the first strikes Russia contacted Yossi Cohen, the national security adviser to Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu to warn Russian jets would be bombing targets in Syria. The warning falls in accordance with a ‘deconfliction’ agreement between the Kremlin and Netanyahu, meant to avoid clashes. | An hour before the first strikes Russia contacted Yossi Cohen, the national security adviser to Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu to warn Russian jets would be bombing targets in Syria. The warning falls in accordance with a ‘deconfliction’ agreement between the Kremlin and Netanyahu, meant to avoid clashes. |
| Despite the agreement with Putin, following a recent meeting between Putin and Netanyahu in Moscow, Israel has been concerned over the potential for clashes while watching warily a Russian military build up it fears will limit its room for action in Syria where it has launched a number of air and artillery strikes as the conflict has come closer. | Despite the agreement with Putin, following a recent meeting between Putin and Netanyahu in Moscow, Israel has been concerned over the potential for clashes while watching warily a Russian military build up it fears will limit its room for action in Syria where it has launched a number of air and artillery strikes as the conflict has come closer. |
| Updated at 4.36pm BST | Updated at 4.36pm BST |
| 4.23pm BST16:23 | 4.23pm BST16:23 |
| Action against the “appalling terrorist death cult outfit” of Isis is “all to the good,” UK prime minister David Cameron has said about Russia’s military strikes in Syria. | Action against the “appalling terrorist death cult outfit” of Isis is “all to the good,” UK prime minister David Cameron has said about Russia’s military strikes in Syria. |
| He has a caveat, though, allowing that he does not yet know what the Kremlin is up to as it bolsters Bashar al-Assad. | He has a caveat, though, allowing that he does not yet know what the Kremlin is up to as it bolsters Bashar al-Assad. |
| “We will need to look very carefully at exactly what has happened. I have a clear view that if this is a part of international action against Isil, that appalling terrorist death cult outfit, then that is all to the good. | “We will need to look very carefully at exactly what has happened. I have a clear view that if this is a part of international action against Isil, that appalling terrorist death cult outfit, then that is all to the good. |
| “If, on the other hand, this is action against the Free Syrian Army in support of Assad the dictator, then obviously that is a retrograde step but let us see exactly what has happened.” | “If, on the other hand, this is action against the Free Syrian Army in support of Assad the dictator, then obviously that is a retrograde step but let us see exactly what has happened.” |
| Updated at 4.26pm BST | Updated at 4.26pm BST |
| 4.16pm BST16:16 | 4.16pm BST16:16 |
| This Russian Orthodox Church has blessed the nascent campaign in Syria as “a holy struggle” against terrorism, church spokesman Vsevolod Chaplin has told state news agency Interfax. | This Russian Orthodox Church has blessed the nascent campaign in Syria as “a holy struggle” against terrorism, church spokesman Vsevolod Chaplin has told state news agency Interfax. |
| “The fight against terrorism is a holy struggle, and today our country has become perhaps the most active force in the world that fights against it,” Chaplin said. “Not because Russia has a selfish interest in this, but because terrorism is immoral.” | “The fight against terrorism is a holy struggle, and today our country has become perhaps the most active force in the world that fights against it,” Chaplin said. “Not because Russia has a selfish interest in this, but because terrorism is immoral.” |
| Konstantin Kosachev, of the foreign affairs committee in Russia’s upper house of parliament, has meanwhile told state television that Russia is only interested in fighting terrorists, my colleague Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) reports from Moscow. | Konstantin Kosachev, of the foreign affairs committee in Russia’s upper house of parliament, has meanwhile told state television that Russia is only interested in fighting terrorists, my colleague Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) reports from Moscow. |
| Kosachev said that Russia will “on no account” get involved in the fight between Assad and the opposition, and is only fighting terrorists. Though there is a question, of course, on who exactly Russia regards as terrorists in Syria. | Kosachev said that Russia will “on no account” get involved in the fight between Assad and the opposition, and is only fighting terrorists. Though there is a question, of course, on who exactly Russia regards as terrorists in Syria. |
| 4.11pm BST16:11 | 4.11pm BST16:11 |
| The Guardian’s diplomatic editor Julian Borger (@julianborger) reports from the UN security council meeting, where Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov is acting as chair. | The Guardian’s diplomatic editor Julian Borger (@julianborger) reports from the UN security council meeting, where Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov is acting as chair. |
| Lavrov said Russia will present a draft resolution based on building up joint counter-terrorist operations “based on international law”. | Lavrov said Russia will present a draft resolution based on building up joint counter-terrorist operations “based on international law”. |
| However, that resolution will face opposition from the US, UK and France if it does not include language on a political transition indicating Assad would be not part of Syria’s future. | However, that resolution will face opposition from the US, UK and France if it does not include language on a political transition indicating Assad would be not part of Syria’s future. |
| UK foreign secretary Philip Hammond has already warned the journalists that the targets of the Russian strikes “will be symbolic. The targets won’t have been selected by accident.” | UK foreign secretary Philip Hammond has already warned the journalists that the targets of the Russian strikes “will be symbolic. The targets won’t have been selected by accident.” |
| “If they have selected a target that is clearly a Isil target away from regime strength, they’ll be sending us a signal that they want this intervention to be seen as a counter-Isil intervention. | “If they have selected a target that is clearly a Isil target away from regime strength, they’ll be sending us a signal that they want this intervention to be seen as a counter-Isil intervention. |
| Hammond added: “If they are in an area there are area where there are heavy regime engagements going on, that will send a much more mixed message. If they’re in an area where there’s no Isil it will send a very clear message that the intervention is there to support Assad.” | Hammond added: “If they are in an area there are area where there are heavy regime engagements going on, that will send a much more mixed message. If they’re in an area where there’s no Isil it will send a very clear message that the intervention is there to support Assad.” |
| In the council meeting, China’s minister for foreign affairs, Wang Yi, has called for a third Geneva conference to negotiate a peace deal, Julian’s report continues. | In the council meeting, China’s minister for foreign affairs, Wang Yi, has called for a third Geneva conference to negotiate a peace deal, Julian’s report continues. |
| Wang Yi has called for a conference “without preconditions”, ie without the West insisting that the end-product must be a Syria without Assad. | Wang Yi has called for a conference “without preconditions”, ie without the West insisting that the end-product must be a Syria without Assad. |
| The first Geneva conference in 2012 agreed there should be a transitional government formed by “mutual consent” of the regime and the opposition. Western powers took this to mean it ruled out Assad who would never get the consent of the opposition. Russia and China dispute that was the implication of the agreement. | The first Geneva conference in 2012 agreed there should be a transitional government formed by “mutual consent” of the regime and the opposition. Western powers took this to mean it ruled out Assad who would never get the consent of the opposition. Russia and China dispute that was the implication of the agreement. |
| Updated at 4.17pm BST | Updated at 4.17pm BST |
| 3.58pm BST15:58 | 3.58pm BST15:58 |
| The Kremlin and its supporters have so far assured Russians that ground soldiers will not take part in the Syrian civil war, with Putin saying this morning that Russia would not “plunge headfirst” into the conflict. | The Kremlin and its supporters have so far assured Russians that ground soldiers will not take part in the Syrian civil war, with Putin saying this morning that Russia would not “plunge headfirst” into the conflict. |
| But who exactly the targets are of Russia’s military campaign remains an open question. Activists and pro-opposition outlets claim that Russian strikes have killed at least 24 people, and other details suggest a strategy well out of sync with the US’s. My colleague Spencer Ackerman writes: | But who exactly the targets are of Russia’s military campaign remains an open question. Activists and pro-opposition outlets claim that Russian strikes have killed at least 24 people, and other details suggest a strategy well out of sync with the US’s. My colleague Spencer Ackerman writes: |
| The apparent geography of the strikes also raises doubts that US and Russian pilots would in fact risk a confrontation. The early reports from the anti-Assad activists in Hama and Homs suggest the strikes occurred further west than the US has ever bombed, deep into territory where the Assad regime still maintains a tenuous hold, and in likely range of its air defences. The US has tended not to strike territory where Isis and Assad actively vie for control. | The apparent geography of the strikes also raises doubts that US and Russian pilots would in fact risk a confrontation. The early reports from the anti-Assad activists in Hama and Homs suggest the strikes occurred further west than the US has ever bombed, deep into territory where the Assad regime still maintains a tenuous hold, and in likely range of its air defences. The US has tended not to strike territory where Isis and Assad actively vie for control. |
| Responding to questions about the strikes, Russian senator Konstantin Kosachev has dissembled slightly, my colleague Shaun Walker notes. | Responding to questions about the strikes, Russian senator Konstantin Kosachev has dissembled slightly, my colleague Shaun Walker notes. |
| Kosachev: "Under no circs will we take part in fight between Assad and opposition, only against terrorists." (But one man's terrorist etc) | Kosachev: "Under no circs will we take part in fight between Assad and opposition, only against terrorists." (But one man's terrorist etc) |
| Updated at 4.03pm BST | Updated at 4.03pm BST |
| 3.48pm BST15:48 | 3.48pm BST15:48 |
| The Free Syrian Army, a rebel group backed by foreign enemies of Assad, has been struck by Russian air strikes in north-west Syria, according to Reuters. | The Free Syrian Army, a rebel group backed by foreign enemies of Assad, has been struck by Russian air strikes in north-west Syria, according to Reuters. |
| The group’s commander said eight fighters were wounded in the countryside of Hama province, where the group has a headquarters. | The group’s commander said eight fighters were wounded in the countryside of Hama province, where the group has a headquarters. |
| “The northern countryside of Hama has no presence of ISIS at all and is under the control of the Free Syrian Army,” Major Jamil al-Saleh, who defected from the Syrian army in 2012, told Reuters via telephone. | “The northern countryside of Hama has no presence of ISIS at all and is under the control of the Free Syrian Army,” Major Jamil al-Saleh, who defected from the Syrian army in 2012, told Reuters via telephone. |
| Saleh said his group had been supplied with advanced anti-tank missiles by foreign powers opposed to Assad. | Saleh said his group had been supplied with advanced anti-tank missiles by foreign powers opposed to Assad. |
| The AFP ‘s Sara Hussein also reports that Hama and nine other locations were hit by Russian air strikes. | The AFP ‘s Sara Hussein also reports that Hama and nine other locations were hit by Russian air strikes. |
| Source tells @AFP areas in #Syria hit by #Russia: Homs: Talbisseh, Rastan; Hama: Latamneh, Kafr Zita; Latakia: Jabal Zweid, Ghmam, Deir Hana | Source tells @AFP areas in #Syria hit by #Russia: Homs: Talbisseh, Rastan; Hama: Latamneh, Kafr Zita; Latakia: Jabal Zweid, Ghmam, Deir Hana |
| 3.37pm BST15:37 | 3.37pm BST15:37 |
| Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Russia’s military intervention into the Syrian civil war, with air strikes nominally against militants but in areas far from US strikes on the extremist group Isis, raising questions about the new campaign’s intentions. | Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Russia’s military intervention into the Syrian civil war, with air strikes nominally against militants but in areas far from US strikes on the extremist group Isis, raising questions about the new campaign’s intentions. |
| President Vladimir Putin decided to bomb Syria in support of his ally, embattled Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, after several weeks of amassing troops and aircraft at a naval base in Latakia. Speaking Monday at the UN, Putin called for an international coalition against Isis, and met with US president Barack Obama to discuss possible cooperation in the Middle East. In Moscow on Wednesday, Putin ruled out using ground forces. | President Vladimir Putin decided to bomb Syria in support of his ally, embattled Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, after several weeks of amassing troops and aircraft at a naval base in Latakia. Speaking Monday at the UN, Putin called for an international coalition against Isis, and met with US president Barack Obama to discuss possible cooperation in the Middle East. In Moscow on Wednesday, Putin ruled out using ground forces. |
| But the strikes, only hours after Russia’s parliament unanimously approved the use of military force outside, apparently took American officials aback, with one saying the strikes “hardly seem indicative” of “a constructive role” in the four-year conflict, which has killed more than 200,000 people and displaced millions of people. | But the strikes, only hours after Russia’s parliament unanimously approved the use of military force outside, apparently took American officials aback, with one saying the strikes “hardly seem indicative” of “a constructive role” in the four-year conflict, which has killed more than 200,000 people and displaced millions of people. |
| The US has led a coalition bombing campaign against Isis in Syria and Iraq for over a year, to apparently marginal effect as Kurdish and Iraqi ground forces have borne the brunt of ground combat. The US and its Gulf allies in the Middle East have said that Assad must step aside for the conflict between his government forces, fractious opposition forces and jihadi militants to have any chance at resolution, but Putin has maintained that Assad can play a part in the country’s future. | The US has led a coalition bombing campaign against Isis in Syria and Iraq for over a year, to apparently marginal effect as Kurdish and Iraqi ground forces have borne the brunt of ground combat. The US and its Gulf allies in the Middle East have said that Assad must step aside for the conflict between his government forces, fractious opposition forces and jihadi militants to have any chance at resolution, but Putin has maintained that Assad can play a part in the country’s future. |