NATO to Russia: Stop striking Syrian opposition
NATO told Russia on Thursday to focus its military operations in Syria on Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants as it condemned Russian violation of Turkish airspace earlier this year.
A statement said the incursions into Turkish airspace were an “extreme danger” and demanded that Moscow halt all attacks against the Syrian opposition and civilians.
“Allies strongly protest these violations of Turkish sovereign airspace and condemn these incursions into and violations of NATO airspace. Allies also note the extreme danger of such irresponsible behavior,” NATO said in a statement
“Allies also note the extreme danger of such irresponsible behavior. They call on the Russian Federation to cease and desist, and immediately explain these violations.”
Russia says it’s against ‘no-fly zone’ in Syria
Also on Monday, Russia spoke out against the creation of a no-fly zone in Syria, saying it was important to respect the war-torn country’s sovereignty.
“Of course, we are against it,” deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov told the Interfax news agency.
“It is necessary to respect countries’ sovereignty,” he said, adding that such a move would contravene the UN charter and international law.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and EU head Donald Tusk said earlier that they had discussed Ankara’s controversial plan for a no-fly zone and a safe zone cleared of ISIS militants in northern Syria.
Western officials had previously cast doubt on the Turkish proposals and the Financial Times reported at the weekend that Moscow’s dramatic entry into the Syria conflict had scuppered any plans of a U.S.-led coalition for such a zone.
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