What Cold War? US asks Russia to form ALLIANCE to WIPE OUT jihadis in Syria
THE US is to offer to share Syrian intelligence with RUSSIA to combat jihadist groups, reports have revealed.
Putin and Obama are set to put aside past differences to tackle terrorism
In a drastic u-turn on frosty relations between US and Russia, the deal would see the two power states launch a coordinated bombing campaign against Jabhat al-Nusra, al Qaeda’s branch in Syria.
US’s offer to Moscow hopes to lead to them sharing targets and coordinating in a bombing campaign gains the al-Qaeda affiliated Nusra Front.
Russia would also be expected to pressure the Assad regime to stop bombing US-aligned rebel groups.
Fighters from the Al-Qaeda group Al Nusra Front
We have been clear about Russia’s obligations to ensure regime compliance with the cessation of hostilities
The proposal has reportedly been approved by President Barack Obama and supported by the Secretary of State John Kerry and they plan on creating “safe zones”.
Previously, Russia said it was difficult to separate Nusra Front from other anti-governmental groups in Syria.
Therefore, Obama has proposed designating differed geographic areas as off-limits for the Syrian air force.
Russia must be ready to respond to NATO’s ‘aggressive actions’, says Putin
Obama wants to tackle the jihadis in Syria
A US state person department John Kirby has said that the US was looking at a “number of measures”.
He said: “We have been clear about Russia’s obligations to ensure regime compliance with the cessation of hostilities.”
Although Washington and Moscow have worked closely together in bombing ISIS, the US Government has never admitted to an alliance.
The US hopes to make bombing campaigns against the al-Qaeda affiliated Nusra Front
Mr Kirby added: “We’ve made no bones about the fact that if the Russians, with their military presence in Syria, proved to be willing to focus those efforts against Daesh, then that’s a conversation we would be willing to have.”
Russia has been pressuring the United States to cooperate in Syria since the start of the Russian counterterrorism aerial campaign in September.
The United States sent the proposed agreement to the Russian Government on Monday following weeks of negotiations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sees the increased military cooperation as an acknowledgement of Russian importance and a way to stop the isolation of Russia after the Russian military intervention in Ukraine.