Russia sends fighter jets to Syria, leading to 1st talks with U.S.: official

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia has sent fighter jets to Syria, U.S. officials said, raising the stakes in a military buildup that has put Washington on edge and led Friday, September 18, to the first talks between U.S. and Russian defense chiefs in over a year, Reuters reports.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter, eyeing the possibility of rival U.S. and Russian air operations in Syria's limited airspace, agreed in a call with his Russian counterpart to explore ways to avoid accidental military interactions.

"They agreed to further discuss mechanisms for deconfliction in Syria and the counter-ISIL campaign," Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said after the call, referring to the campaign by the United States and its allies against Islamic State militants.

A senior U.S. defense official, recounting details of the conversation, said Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had described Moscow's activities in Syria as defensive in nature.

Shoigu said Russia's military moves "were designed to honor commitments made to the Syrian government," the U.S. official said.

One U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said four tactical Russian fighter jets were sent to Syria. Another U.S. official declined to offer a number but confirmed the presence of multiple jets.

In London, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States was looking to find "common ground" with Russia.

Kerry said it was important to forge a political agreement in Syria and end the hardship of Syrian people.