20-04-2024 02:44 AM Jerusalem Timing

Lavrov: Air Campaign Not Enough to Quash ISIL, Coordination with Syria Important

Lavrov: Air Campaign Not Enough to Quash ISIL, Coordination with Syria Important

Russia Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday called for coordination between a US-led coalition, Syria and Russia on the fight against Takfiri militants.

Russia Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday called for coordination between a US-led coalition, Syria and Russia on the fight against Takfiri militants.

Lavrov said coordination with the Syrian government is important because an air campaign is not enough to quash ISIL , the so-called “Islamic State in Iraq and Levant.”

Russia's top diplomat stressed that "all sides" involved in the Syrian conflict should coordinate their actions.

Russian FM Sergei Lavrov"Coordination is also important to prevent various unintended incidents," Lavrov told reporters.

He also urged the United States to resume military cooperation with Moscow that has been put on ice during the Ukraine conflict.

"We are always in favor of the (two countries') military speaking to each other in a professional manner," he said.

"They understand each other well. It is important to avoid undesirable unintended incidents."

Earlier on Thursday, Lavrov denied Moscow was ramping up its military presence in Syria, saying it was supplying its Middle Eastern ally with humanitarian aid and military equipment in accordance with existing contracts.

"Russian planes are sending to Syria both military equipment in accordance with current contracts and humanitarian aid," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters.

"We have never made our military presence (in Syria) a secret," he said, denying claims that Russia was beefing up its presence in the war-torn country.