John Kerry was addressing the United Nations Security Council hours after Russian jets hit targets in Syria.
United Nations:
The United States does not oppose Russian air strikes in Syria if they target the Islamic State group, but Bashar al-Assad must step down, Secretary of State John Kerry said today.
John Kerry was addressing the United Nations Security Council hours after Russian jets hit targets in Syria, apparently in support of Bashar al- Assad's battle to cling to power in Damascus.
"If Russia's recent actions and those now ongoing reflect a genuine commitment to defeat that organization then we are prepared to welcome those efforts," John Kerry said.
United States forces, he added, are ready to "de-conflict" with Russian forces -- communicate to avoid accidental encounters on the battlefield -- "thereby increasing the miliary pressure on ISIL."
"But we must not and will not be confused in our fight against ISIL with support for Bashar al- Assad," he insisted.
"Moreover we have also made clear that we would also have grave concerns should Russia strike areas where ISIL and Al-Qaeda affiliated targets are not operating," he said.
"Strikes of that kind would question Russia's real intentions in fighting ISIL or protecting the Assad regime," he warned.
Early reports of Russia's strikes today suggested they hit areas where other opposition groups, seen by the United States and its allies as moderates, have been fighting Bashar al- Assad's forces.
John Kerry was addressing the United Nations Security Council hours after Russian jets hit targets in Syria, apparently in support of Bashar al- Assad's battle to cling to power in Damascus.
"If Russia's recent actions and those now ongoing reflect a genuine commitment to defeat that organization then we are prepared to welcome those efforts," John Kerry said.
United States forces, he added, are ready to "de-conflict" with Russian forces -- communicate to avoid accidental encounters on the battlefield -- "thereby increasing the miliary pressure on ISIL."
"But we must not and will not be confused in our fight against ISIL with support for Bashar al- Assad," he insisted.
"Moreover we have also made clear that we would also have grave concerns should Russia strike areas where ISIL and Al-Qaeda affiliated targets are not operating," he said.
"Strikes of that kind would question Russia's real intentions in fighting ISIL or protecting the Assad regime," he warned.
Early reports of Russia's strikes today suggested they hit areas where other opposition groups, seen by the United States and its allies as moderates, have been fighting Bashar al- Assad's forces.
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