Russia, US sign cooperation deal on Syria airstrikes

RT News

Russia and the US have signed an agreement regulating the operations of the two countries' air forces in Syria. The deal is aimed at preventing incidents and providing for the smooth operation of the two nations' aircraft, and for mutual aid in critical situations.
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Russian anti-terror op in Syria

The agreement, whose full name is "The Memorandum of Mutual Understanding between the Defense Ministries of Russia and the United States on preventing incidents and providing for aviation flights during operations in Syria" is hailed as a 'positive step', the Russian Defense Ministry said in a press release.

The document "has important practical value. It regulates the actions of manned and unmanned aircraft in the airspace above Syria. The Memorandum contains a set of rules and limitations aimed at preventing incidents between the air forces of Russia and the US," the Defense Ministry says.

As soon as the agreement comes into force, there will be 24/7 communication channels established between the Russian and American military commanders. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, its US counterparts have pledged to convey the agreement's details to their anti-Islamic State coalition partners, so that they, too, follow the rules it sets.

It's good news indeed that an agreement has been reached between the Kremlin and US to regulate air operations between the two countries in Syria. A major step forward in curbing ISIS, I foresee less criticism and more corporation from both sides.

Well, if anything, let's all crack our beers and cheers to this, as what we have here is some guarantee of avoiding accidents during airstrike operations between the two countries. So what does this mean for the faith of ISIS and the country of Syria?

Whether the US has considered stopping supply of ammunition to insurgences groups within Syria, remains to be known. But this surely is a major step forward in the right direction, and most importantly working together to curb ISIS and working towards bringing back normalcy and peace back to Syria.

Your thoughts on this?

I suppose no more doom porn from this(Syrian conflict)? This is great. Securing peace. I know that sounds a bit wrong, but the fact that these two powers have reached an agreement is great.

I guess there is always hope after all. What a great development.

a reply to: Tiamat384

There will be open communication between the two countries, so there is a lot guarantee there of no doom and gloom...

I just think other countries involved in airstrikes as well as Turkey should have been included in this agreement as well, since they are also running airstrike operations in Syrian airspace as well.

Although we missed this news a day ago, there was a near close encounter between a Swiss Jet and Russian jet initially mistaken by the Kremlin as a French jet:
Russia calls French ambassador over near-miss with jet, Swiss later blamed for plane incident

Initially thought to be French, the military jet that came dangerously close to a Russian aircraft carrying State Duma speaker Sergey Naryshkin turned out to be Swiss. Moscow has since apologized for summoning the French Ambassador.

Ambassador to Russia Jean-Maurice Ripert was asked to explain why a French Air Force jet allegedly approached Russian passenger plane bound for Switzerland, which was carrying a parliamentary delegation headed by Naryshkin, the diplomatic mission reported.

a reply to: InnerPeace2012
Well, Russia has requested that their allies/partners be sent copies, so isn't it possible they will be included in this as well? Hmm yes I have heard of that near-miss incident though I didn't follow up on it.

originally posted by: Tiamat384
a reply to: InnerPeace2012
Well, Russia has requested that their allies/partners be sent copies, so isn't it possible they will be included in this as well? Hmm yes I have heard of that near-miss incident though I didn't follow up on it.

If the allies are in direct communication with each than surely the airstrikes operations for each nation involved can be regulated. But if each country is going about their own airstrikes, for example Turkey, than there still remains a window of chance of an incident between other nations especially with Russian fighter jets.

So all countries involved should at least be bound by this as long as there is open communication, but it is good to know an agreement has finally been reached between US and Russia.

a reply to: InnerPeace2012
I agree all should abide. Actually, that may be the one flaw in the agreement. At least the one flaw I see. Instead of an agreement specifically between the USA and Russia, perhaps this should be specifically to the Syrian airspace. For that matter, why isn't there an agreement with general rules for this sort of thing. A cooperation pact that the UN could create. I have a feeling it does exist, but from this it seems not.

Its about time USA swallowed their pride on this situation instead of wasting time aiding the baddies. I would rather have Russia as a partner than ISIS primitives.

a reply to: Tiamat384

I agree with you, this agreement between US and Russia, is more targeted on avoiding any incidents between the Russian and US Jets.

Canada just pulled their jets out of Syria. The withdrawal however is not due development of the agreement between US and Russia, but more of a political commitment.


Canada to withdraw fighter jets from Syria and Iraq strikes

In his first telephone conversation with the US president as Canada's prime minister-designate, Mr Trudeau informed Barack Obama that he would make good on his election promise to withdraw the fighter jets.

"I committed that we would continue to engage in a responsible way that understands how important Canada has a role to play in the fight against ISIL (Islamic State), but he (Barack Obama) understands the commitments I've made around ending the combat mission," he told reporters in Ottawa on Tuesday.

However, he said he would keep Canadian military trainers in northern Iraq, the AFP news agency reports.

Mr Trudeau has also vowed to take in 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of the year - a move previously rejected by his predecessor Stephen Harper, who took a much harder line on the issue.

a reply to: InnerPeace2012
I've seen this thread too. I can't blame Canada, but Australia I believe is going to Syria, correct? I understand there is a fear that there may end up being conflict between the USA and Russia, especially since these two powers have the largest nuclear arsenals and the memory of the Cold War still lives. So I understand the need especially for these two to have clear communication channels, but they should work on something more permanent and more inclusive, again via the UN. On the other hand, Russian allies/partners will be receiving copies, will be working (I assume) under Russian intelligence and the USA will have already informed NATO so we will have to rely on the rest of the nations to be informally a part of this agreement.

a reply to: Tiamat384

Here are the list of Countries operating jets in Syrian airspace that we can confirm..

British mainly for diplomacy not military

French Jets for military campaigns against ISIS

Aussies also in on the action

And Swiss and Turkey, from the previous posts...don't know how many other nations are also flying their jets in Syria right now,

a reply to: InnerPeace2012
Like I said Australia, Brits yes I know supposedly with the green light to shoot down if they feel threatened or are fired upon, and French. That's a bit new to me, but no surprise. Turkey I also know, and Swiss, hmm, that's not something I've heard. The Swiss in foreign military affairs. Interesting. Still, perhaps their informal inclusion in the agreement is enough. If they are even informally a part of it.

They're probably on the same side anyway..

.. that is until its time to make some debt and money on war.

---

Have not heard anything about Syria on the news lately.. no news, no footage.. nothing.

They can completely block the media if 'they' want to and you will 'know' only what they want you to 'know'.

WOW! I'm actually shocked? This is great news.

The cynical side of me screams "We'll manage this part and you manage that bit over there......nothing to see here"

But I'm sure that's complete rubbish.....right?

Ahem.

originally posted by: Tiamat384
a reply to: InnerPeace2012
Like I said Australia, Brits yes I know supposedly with the green light to shoot down if they feel threatened or are fired upon, and French. That's a bit new to me, but no surprise. Turkey I also know, and Swiss, hmm, that's not something I've heard. The Swiss in foreign military affairs. Interesting. Still, perhaps their informal inclusion in the agreement is enough. If they are even informally a part of it.

I think the problem is mainly because the West doesn't see, Assad's government as the legitimate government, and that due to the obvious stance by the West to rid of both Assad and ISIS.

The Syrian airspace is like a free for all, airshow, sadly. But I think with US and Russian reaching an agreement to regulate air operations, this should send a message out to other nations to cooperate coordinated strikes.

a reply to: InnerPeace2012

I belive Nostradamus was the one who said that Brother Bear & the Eagle will join forces to obliterate the forces in the sand and desert.

This kinda seems like its true. I do not have the quatrain to post. (if someone who knows more on this topic of quatrains, please help me elaborate).

Good to see that we are working together.

Regards,

SK

a reply to: InnerPeace2012
Of course, isn't the number one purpose of the USA to remove Assad? And Russia wants to keep him because he benefits Russia. Yes it is. USA wasn't even wanted, not legally there, but then I suppose Syrian airspace may as well be international airspace.

a reply to: InnerPeace2012

Russia: "Sign here___________, because "you're either with us or your with the enemy"

US: "hmm, where have I heard that before?"

Russia: "Ha - I know right, dubya Bush......now ain't karma a bitch?"

US: "OK, I'll sign, but can you stop bombing our sh!t until we can get it back off the enemy"

Russia: "you have 24hrs to do so or we're coming in"

US: "hmm, where have I heard that before?"

Russia: "Ha - I know right, dubya Bush......now ain't karma a bitch?"

US: "OK, it's signed - but I call shotgun"

Russia: "Too late, there is no prize for 2nd place"


LOL - Seriously though, this deal should ensure ISIS becomes WASWAS. I wonder if Assad gets to keep his throne in this deal?

Good for that as we don't need another war(WWIII with Russia, etc for example), nor does the world. War pushers will demand something otherwise. Possibly expect tension there.

To compare the news: US news vs RT, basically both say "memorandum of understanding" covers safety for air crews but it's not a policy covering who is being targeted or not which is the ongoing issue with the countries.

"There's a series of protocols in place that effectively are intended to avoid any sort of risk of a mid-air incident between our air crews and Russian air crews," Cook said.

Not addressing,

Russia also claims to be targeting IS and other "terrorists," but the Pentagon says it is hitting non-IS rebels fighting forces loyal to Assad.

Source

That's where as mentioned that there still could be tension.