Russia proposes joint air strikes in Syria, US declines

Pentagon spokesman says Washington, Moscow have separate military aims, and ‘do not collaborate or coordinate’

WASHINGTON, DC — The United States on Friday rejected a Russian proposal to launch joint air strikes against jihadists from next week in Syria, but said the two sides were discussing ways to better monitor a shaky truce.

“We do not collaborate or coordinate with the Russians on any operations in Syria,” Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis told reporters, explaining that Washington and Moscow have separate military objectives.

“Russian operations are supporting and enabling the Assad regime and our focus is solely on degrading and defeating ISIL,” Davis said, referring to the Islamic State group.

Earlier Friday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu suggested the two countries launch joint strikes against the al-Nusra Front and other illegal 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.”

In this Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015 photo, plane directors, wearing yellow jerseys, oversee the takeoff of a US Marine fighter jet aircraft aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier, which currently serves as a base for air strikes against Islamic State in Syria. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

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.

Russia and the United States pledged earlier this month to redouble efforts to find a solution to the Syrian conflict, which has killed more than 270,000 people and displaced millions since 2011, and extend a truce across the war-torn country.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a joint press conference with Laos Prime Minister following the Russia-ASEAN summit in Sochi on May 20, 2016. (AFP PHOTO/Host Photo Agency)

This week in Vienna, the 17-nation International Syria Support Group (ISSG) — co-chaired by the United States and Russia — vowed to bolster the ravaged nation’s shaky ceasefire and send humanitarian relief.

“What we are discussing with our Russian counterparts — in keeping with the ISSG communique last week in Vienna — are proposals for a sustainable mechanism to better monitor and enforce the cessation of hostilities,” State Department spokesman John Kirby said Friday.

“None of those proposals have yet been agreed upon.”

Kirby said the “vast majority” of the violations of the truce had been carried out by the regime, which is backed by Moscow.

“We look to Russia to end such violations, which includes strikes that have hit civilians and civilian facilities,” he said.