US, Russia sign MoU on airstrikes over Syria

The US and Russian military officials have appended a memorandum of understanding aimed at avoiding clashes over Syria, as they both intensify air strikes against Syrian armed groups, the Pentagon said.

There had been concerns over aircraft safety after Russia started bombing targets in Syria last month.

Moscow had said it is targeting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, but many of its air strikes have hit territory held by other armed groups fighting against Russia’s Syrian ally, President Bashar al-Assad.

According to Al Jazeera’s Rosiland Jordan, Pentagon’s spokesman Peter Cook, on Tuesday, released few details about the memorandum, purportedly at the request of Moscow.

“Cook said that the Russians did not want the details put out publicly,” Jordan said.

“As you might expect, that is making it hard for people to judge whether the memorandum will be effective.

Read also: U.S, Russian aircraft come within visual range over Syria

“Having said that, there is now a signed agreement, signed by US and Russian officials, which spells out the rules of the airspace over Syria.”

According to Cook, the memorandum included specific protocols for air crews to follow, plus the creation of a ground communications link between the two sides in the event air communications fail.

“The US and Russia will form a working group to discuss any implementation issues that follow,” Cook said during a press briefing.

Cook was also quoted to have said the memo calls for aircraft to maintain a safe distance, but he declined to be more specific about whether the protocols included specific distances.

He added that the agreement included coalition aircraft.

Coalition members include Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates

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