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-34524403
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Syria conflict: US-Russia air safety talks after 'near miss' | Syria conflict: US-Russia air safety talks after 'near miss' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The US and Russia are to hold new talks on air safety in Syria after it emerged combat aircraft from both nations came within miles of each other on Saturday. | The US and Russia are to hold new talks on air safety in Syria after it emerged combat aircraft from both nations came within miles of each other on Saturday. |
| It will be the third round of talks as the two countries seek to find ways of avoiding an accidental conflict. | It will be the third round of talks as the two countries seek to find ways of avoiding an accidental conflict. |
| US Secretary of Defence Ash Carter said he expected a deal soon. Russia said it had "updated proposals" to be discussed during a video conference. | US Secretary of Defence Ash Carter said he expected a deal soon. Russia said it had "updated proposals" to be discussed during a video conference. |
| Despite the talks, the US said Russia's actions in Syria were "wrongheaded". | Despite the talks, the US said Russia's actions in Syria were "wrongheaded". |
| Russia began its campaign of air strikes in Syria on 30 September, saying it was targeting Islamic State (IS) militants and other jihadist groups after a request to help militarily from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. | Russia began its campaign of air strikes in Syria on 30 September, saying it was targeting Islamic State (IS) militants and other jihadist groups after a request to help militarily from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. |
| Western countries and Syrian activists say Russian planes have been hitting non-militant targets - a claim Moscow denies. | |
| In a separate development on Tuesday, two shells struck the Russian embassy compound in the Syrian capital Damascus as hundreds of pro-government supporters rallied outside in support of Russian air strikes. | In a separate development on Tuesday, two shells struck the Russian embassy compound in the Syrian capital Damascus as hundreds of pro-government supporters rallied outside in support of Russian air strikes. |
| No-one was killed but a BBC Arabic correspondent in Damascus says some people were injured. | No-one was killed but a BBC Arabic correspondent in Damascus says some people were injured. |
| Russia described the shelling as "a terrorist attack". | Russia described the shelling as "a terrorist attack". |
| 'Same battle space' | 'Same battle space' |
| US and Russian officials are expected to hold a video conference later on Wednesday. | US and Russian officials are expected to hold a video conference later on Wednesday. |
| Ahead of the talks, Mr Carter said: "Our talks... are very professional, they're very constructive, and I expect them to lead in very short order to an agreement." | Ahead of the talks, Mr Carter said: "Our talks... are very professional, they're very constructive, and I expect them to lead in very short order to an agreement." |
| But he stressed that the Americans "are not able at this time to associate ourselves more broadly with Russia's approach in Syria because it is wrongheaded and strategically short-sighted". | But he stressed that the Americans "are not able at this time to associate ourselves more broadly with Russia's approach in Syria because it is wrongheaded and strategically short-sighted". |
| Meanwhile, the Russian defence ministry said it had "updated proposals on Syria for the US" and was waiting for a "third video conference". | Meanwhile, the Russian defence ministry said it had "updated proposals on Syria for the US" and was waiting for a "third video conference". |
| The talks come after US military spokesman Col Steve Warren told reporters that two US and two Russian aircraft "entered the same battle space" over Syria on Saturday. | The talks come after US military spokesman Col Steve Warren told reporters that two US and two Russian aircraft "entered the same battle space" over Syria on Saturday. |
| He said the aircraft were in visual contact with each other. | He said the aircraft were in visual contact with each other. |
| Col Warren also said that Russian planes had repeatedly broken air patrols, coming close to US American unmanned aerial vehicles or drone aircraft. | Col Warren also said that Russian planes had repeatedly broken air patrols, coming close to US American unmanned aerial vehicles or drone aircraft. |
| Russia has not publicly commented on this claim. | Russia has not publicly commented on this claim. |
| High-stakes gamble Risks of air forces from Russia, Syria and Nato operating in close proximity | High-stakes gamble Risks of air forces from Russia, Syria and Nato operating in close proximity |
| Why? What? How? Five things you need to know about Russia's involvement | Why? What? How? Five things you need to know about Russia's involvement |
| What can Russia's air force do? The US-led coalition has failed to destroy IS. Can Russia do any better? | What can Russia's air force do? The US-led coalition has failed to destroy IS. Can Russia do any better? |
| The close ties behind Russia's intervention | The close ties behind Russia's intervention |
| Russia's Muslims divided over strikes | Russia's Muslims divided over strikes |
| Syria's civil war explained | Syria's civil war explained |