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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| US and Russia sign deal to avoid Syria air incidents | US and Russia sign deal to avoid Syria air incidents |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Russia and the US have signed a deal that they hope will avoid clashes between their air forces in the skies over Syria, officials from both countries said. | Russia and the US have signed a deal that they hope will avoid clashes between their air forces in the skies over Syria, officials from both countries said. |
| Russian began air strikes in Syria on 30 September, saying it was targeting Islamic State (IS) militants. | Russian began air strikes in Syria on 30 September, saying it was targeting Islamic State (IS) militants. |
| Last week, the US said both countries' planes "entered the same battle space" and came within miles of each other. | Last week, the US said both countries' planes "entered the same battle space" and came within miles of each other. |
| Officials had been seeking an agreement since late September. | Officials had been seeking an agreement since late September. |
| Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said the text of the deal would remain secret at Moscow's request, but that it laid out means for both sides to communicate and establish a hotline on the ground. | |
| The two countries would not, however, share intelligence on their targets, he said. | The two countries would not, however, share intelligence on their targets, he said. |
| Mr Cook also said the deal ensured aircraft would stay a "safe" distance from each other, but he would not confirm if specific distances were agreed. | Mr Cook also said the deal ensured aircraft would stay a "safe" distance from each other, but he would not confirm if specific distances were agreed. |
| Hour's notice | Hour's notice |
| Last week, the Pentagon said Russian and US combat aircraft were in visual contact with each other, 10 to 20 miles (15-30km) apart. | Last week, the Pentagon said Russian and US combat aircraft were in visual contact with each other, 10 to 20 miles (15-30km) apart. |
| Russia's deputy defence minister, Anatoly Antonov, said the memorandum "contains a number of rules and restrictions aimed at preventing incidents between American and Russian planes". | Russia's deputy defence minister, Anatoly Antonov, said the memorandum "contains a number of rules and restrictions aimed at preventing incidents between American and Russian planes". |
| Western countries and Syrian activists say Russian planes have been hitting non-IS targets, a claim Moscow denies. | Western countries and Syrian activists say Russian planes have been hitting non-IS targets, a claim Moscow denies. |
| Russia said it began its aerial campaign against IS militants and other jihadist groups after a request for military help from its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. | Russia said it began its aerial campaign against IS militants and other jihadist groups after a request for military help from its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. |
| US officials said they were given only an hour's notice when the first Russian raids took place. | US officials said they were given only an hour's notice when the first Russian raids took place. |
| On Monday, at least 45 people were reported killed in Russian air strikes in a rebel-held area of the north-west Latakia province. | On Monday, at least 45 people were reported killed in Russian air strikes in a rebel-held area of the north-west Latakia province. |