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US-led coalition against IS calls on Russia to cease air strikes in Syria

Members of the US-led coalition against Islamic State have called on Russia to cease air strikes they say are hitting the Syrian opposition and civilians, the BBC reports.

In a joint statement on Friday, the US, UK, Turkey and other coalition members said Russian strikes would “only fuel more extremism.”

Russia, which according to witnesses launched fresh strikes on Friday, says it is targeting IS.

A senior Russian official says strikes could last for three to four months.

Alexei Pushkov, the head of the foreign affairs committee in Russia’s parliament, said that the US had only “pretended” to bomb IS and promised that Russia’s campaign would be much more effective.

The Russian Air Force began air strikes in Syria on Wednesday.

 

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