U.S. rejects Russia’s proposal for joint Syria airstrikesMay 21, 2016 - 10:29 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The United States has rejected a Russian proposal to carry out joint airstrikes against armed opposition groups in Syria, Al Jazeera reports. "We do not collaborate or coordinate with the Russians on any operations in Syria," Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis told reporters on Friday, May 20, explaining that Washington and Moscow have separate military objectives. The U.S. and Russia have been carrying out separate bombing campaigns in Syria, where a five-year civil war has pitted armed rebel groups against government forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. Earlier on Friday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu suggested the two countries launch joint strikes against al-Nusra Front and other armed groups that do not support a frail truce brokered by Moscow and Washington in February. He also proposed that joint strikes be made against "convoys containing weapons and ammunition, armed units that illegally cross the Syrian-Turkish border." Davis said Russia had not made a formal proposal to the United States. "I've only seen the same press reports you have - nothing formal has been presented to us," he told reporters, according to Al Jazeera. The Syrian conflict started as a largely unarmed uprising in March 2011, but it quickly morphed into a full-on civil war that has left millions displaced and hundreds of thousands dead. Staffan de Mistura, the United Nations special envoy for Syria, recently estimated that 400,000 have been killed throughout the five years of bloodshed. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |