Russia, Turkey stage first joint air strikes against IS in Syria

Russia and Turkey staged their first joint air strikes against the Islamic State jihadist group in Syria, the Russian defence ministry said
Wednesday, 18 January 2017 18:34

The Russian Defence Ministry said on Wednesday Russian warplanes had joined forces with Turkish jets to target Islamic State militants holding the town of al-Bab in the province of Aleppo.

Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi of the military's General Staff said nine Russian warplanes and eight Turkish jets have taken part in the strikes on the outskirts of al-Bab.

The announcement came less than a week after Russia said Moscow and Ankara had signed an agreement spelling out mechanisms to coordinate their air forces in Syria when conducting strikes on terrorist targets.