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Putin vows 'extremely tough' action on Syria threats | Putin vows 'extremely tough' action on Syria threats |
(about 2 hours later) | |
President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Russian military to take "extremely tough" action against any threat to its forces in Syria. | President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Russian military to take "extremely tough" action against any threat to its forces in Syria. |
Such targets must be "immediately destroyed", he told defence officials in televised comments. | Such targets must be "immediately destroyed", he told defence officials in televised comments. |
Mr Putin did not elaborate on specific threats but Turkey and Russia are currently locked in a dispute over the downing of a Russian jet by Ankara. | Mr Putin did not elaborate on specific threats but Turkey and Russia are currently locked in a dispute over the downing of a Russian jet by Ankara. |
Turkey said the bomber had entered its airspace, something denied by Russia. | Turkey said the bomber had entered its airspace, something denied by Russia. |
A Russian pilot was killed in the downing of the Su-24 bomber, as was a marine sent on a rescue mission, badly damaging the normally close ties between Ankara and Moscow. | A Russian pilot was killed in the downing of the Su-24 bomber, as was a marine sent on a rescue mission, badly damaging the normally close ties between Ankara and Moscow. |
Mr Putin warned against "further provocations" without naming Turkey directly. | Mr Putin warned against "further provocations" without naming Turkey directly. |
Russia 'now supports FSA' | Russia 'now supports FSA' |
Russia began air strikes in Syria in September, at the request of its ally President Bashar al-Assad. | Russia began air strikes in Syria in September, at the request of its ally President Bashar al-Assad. |
In an update on Russian operations, Mr Putin said the military was now supporting Free Syrian Army (FSA) forces. | In an update on Russian operations, Mr Putin said the military was now supporting Free Syrian Army (FSA) forces. |
There has been no confirmation from the FSA, who are fighting President Assad and have been bombed by Russia. | There has been no confirmation from the FSA, who are fighting President Assad and have been bombed by Russia. |
And a US official close to the US-led coalition against so-called Islamic State (IS) told the BBC: "We've seen no evidence that the Russians and the Free Syrian Army are working together. I think it's just propaganda." | |
The Kremlin has denied accusations by the US-led coalition operating in Syria it often targets moderate Syrian opposition, rather than IS militants. | |
Mr Putin also said was important to develop co-operation "with all states who have a real interest in destroying the terrorists". | Mr Putin also said was important to develop co-operation "with all states who have a real interest in destroying the terrorists". |
That includes "contacts to ensure flight safety with the Israeli air force HQ and the US-led coalition forces," he said. | That includes "contacts to ensure flight safety with the Israeli air force HQ and the US-led coalition forces," he said. |
In a separate development in Syria, at least 22 people are reported to have died in a triple truck bomb attack in a Kurdish-controlled town in northern Syria. | In a separate development in Syria, at least 22 people are reported to have died in a triple truck bomb attack in a Kurdish-controlled town in northern Syria. |
Syrian opposition politicians meeting in the Saudi capital Riyadh have also agreed a statement to guide peace talks with the government. | Syrian opposition politicians meeting in the Saudi capital Riyadh have also agreed a statement to guide peace talks with the government. |