This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-34408120

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Syria crisis: Russia and US military to hold talks on air strikes Syria crisis: Russia and US military to hold talks on air strikes
(about 2 hours later)
The US and Russian military will hold talks "as soon as possible" to avoid clashing in Syria, the countries' top diplomats say.The US and Russian military will hold talks "as soon as possible" to avoid clashing in Syria, the countries' top diplomats say.
Russian defence officials say their aircraft carried out about 20 missions against the so-called Islamic State group (IS) on Wednesday.Russian defence officials say their aircraft carried out about 20 missions against the so-called Islamic State group (IS) on Wednesday.
But the US expressed fears the targets were non-IS opponents of Russia's ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.But the US expressed fears the targets were non-IS opponents of Russia's ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The US is targeting IS with air strikes in both Syria and Iraq.The US is targeting IS with air strikes in both Syria and Iraq.
Nato said there had been little co-ordination by Russia with US-led forces against IS, also known as Isil. The US says it was informed of Wednesday's air strikes only an hour before they took place.Nato said there had been little co-ordination by Russia with US-led forces against IS, also known as Isil. The US says it was informed of Wednesday's air strikes only an hour before they took place.
The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal report that the Russian strikes targeted US-backed rebels, including some trained by the CIA.The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal report that the Russian strikes targeted US-backed rebels, including some trained by the CIA.
Analysis: Jon Sopel, BBC North America editorAnalysis: Jon Sopel, BBC North America editor
Are the Russians trying to destroy IS or are they trying to prop up President Assad? The Americans see the two as very different, the Russians less so.Are the Russians trying to destroy IS or are they trying to prop up President Assad? The Americans see the two as very different, the Russians less so.
On the evidence of one day's bombing, it looks to be very much the latter. The target of Russian ordnance has been in places where IS has no presence.On the evidence of one day's bombing, it looks to be very much the latter. The target of Russian ordnance has been in places where IS has no presence.
In other words, other rebel groups - any rebel groups - opposed to President Assad are being targeted. And that raises another huge question. What if the Russians start hitting US-backed and armed rebel groups? That is not going to end well.In other words, other rebel groups - any rebel groups - opposed to President Assad are being targeted. And that raises another huge question. What if the Russians start hitting US-backed and armed rebel groups? That is not going to end well.
How Putin blindsided the USHow Putin blindsided the US
Diplomatic goals behind Putin's Syria build-upDiplomatic goals behind Putin's Syria build-up
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said there was a need to "establish channels of communication to avoid any unintended incidents". His US counterpart, John Kerry, said talks will be held "as soon as possible," maybe as early as Thursday.Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said there was a need to "establish channels of communication to avoid any unintended incidents". His US counterpart, John Kerry, said talks will be held "as soon as possible," maybe as early as Thursday.
Mr Kerry added: "It's one thing to be targeting Isil, but the concern, obviously, is that this is not what was happening."Mr Kerry added: "It's one thing to be targeting Isil, but the concern, obviously, is that this is not what was happening."
France's Defence Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, told French MPs: "Curiously, they didn't hit Islamic State. I will let you draw a certain number of conclusions yourselves."France's Defence Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, told French MPs: "Curiously, they didn't hit Islamic State. I will let you draw a certain number of conclusions yourselves."
US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said Russia's approach was "tantamount to pouring gasoline on the fire" and "doomed to fail" because of the breadth of Syrian opposition to Mr Assad.US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said Russia's approach was "tantamount to pouring gasoline on the fire" and "doomed to fail" because of the breadth of Syrian opposition to Mr Assad.
Syria's civil war has raged for four years, with an array of armed groups fighting to overthrow the government.Syria's civil war has raged for four years, with an array of armed groups fighting to overthrow the government.
The US and its allies have insisted that President Assad should leave office, while Russia has backed him remaining in power.The US and its allies have insisted that President Assad should leave office, while Russia has backed him remaining in power.
The Russian defence ministry said the country's air force had targeted IS military equipment, communication facilities, arms depots, ammunition and fuel supplies - and did not hit civilian infrastructure or areas nearby.The Russian defence ministry said the country's air force had targeted IS military equipment, communication facilities, arms depots, ammunition and fuel supplies - and did not hit civilian infrastructure or areas nearby.
Syrian opposition activists said Russian warplanes hit towns including Zafaraneh, Rastan and Talbiseh, resulting in the deaths of at least 36 civilians, a number of them children. But Syrian opposition activists said Russian warplanes hit towns including Zafaraneh, Rastan and Talbiseh, resulting in the deaths of at least 36 civilians, a number of them children.
None of the areas targeted was controlled by IS, activists said.None of the areas targeted was controlled by IS, activists said.
A resident of Talbiseh told the BBC that the Russians were striking the only area in that part of Syria that was still under rebel control. "In my opinion they are helping Assad to get rid of the rebels in general," he said.A resident of Talbiseh told the BBC that the Russians were striking the only area in that part of Syria that was still under rebel control. "In my opinion they are helping Assad to get rid of the rebels in general," he said.
One doctor in Rastan told Reuters: "We have been exposed to a wide range of weapons over the last five years. But what happened today was absolutely the most violent and ferocious, and the most comprehensive."One doctor in Rastan told Reuters: "We have been exposed to a wide range of weapons over the last five years. But what happened today was absolutely the most violent and ferocious, and the most comprehensive."
Mr Kerry said the United States would not object to Russian military action in Syria - as long as it was directed against IS and groups linked to al-Qaeda. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia was acting against the threat of militants in Syria returning to their home countries, including Russia.
In a televised address, Mr Putin said the air strikes were targeting Islamist militants - including Russian citizens - who have taken over large parts of Syria. Saudi Arabia, a major backer of the rebels which has always insisted that Mr Assad must leave power, expressed "profound concern" at the Russian strikes.
"If they [militants] succeed in Syria, they will return to their home country, and they will come to Russia, too," he said. The Saudi UN ambassador, Abdallah Al-Mouallimi, demanded that they stop immediately, adding that countries should not be fighting IS "at the same time as they support the terrorism of the Syrian regime".
He added that Russia would be "supporting the Syrian army purely in its legitimate fight with terrorist groups".
Mr Putin also said he expected President Assad to talk with the Syrian opposition about a political settlement, but clarified that he was referring to what he described as "healthy'' opposition groups.
Syria's civil warSyria's civil war
What's the human cost?What's the human cost?
More than 250,000 Syrians have been killed and a million injured in four-and-a-half years of armed conflict, which began with anti-government protests before escalating into a full-scale civil war.More than 250,000 Syrians have been killed and a million injured in four-and-a-half years of armed conflict, which began with anti-government protests before escalating into a full-scale civil war.
And the survivors?And the survivors?
More than 11 million others have been forced from their homes, four million of them abroad, as forces loyal to President Assad and those opposed to his rule battle each other - as well as jihadist militants from IS and other groups. Growing numbers of refugees are going to Europe.More than 11 million others have been forced from their homes, four million of them abroad, as forces loyal to President Assad and those opposed to his rule battle each other - as well as jihadist militants from IS and other groups. Growing numbers of refugees are going to Europe.
How has the world reacted?How has the world reacted?
Regional and world powers have also been drawn into the conflict. Iran and Russia, along with Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, are propping up the Alawite-led government. Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are backing the Sunni-dominated opposition, along with the US, UK and France.Regional and world powers have also been drawn into the conflict. Iran and Russia, along with Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, are propping up the Alawite-led government. Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are backing the Sunni-dominated opposition, along with the US, UK and France.
The battle for Syria and Iraq in mapsThe battle for Syria and Iraq in maps
Syria's civil war explainedSyria's civil war explained
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the recent violence? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the recent violence? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or please use the form below:Or please use the form below: