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Turkey calls on Russia to end military operations in Syria

Xinhua, October 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

Turkey called on Russia on Friday to immediately end military operations in Syria which have targeted "Syrian opposition and civilians."

"We express our deep concern with regard to the Russian military build-up in Syria and especially the attacks by the Russian Air Force on Hama, Homs and Idlib since yesterday which led to civilian casualties and did not target Da'esh (IS)," said a joint statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry with the United States, Germany, Britain, France, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

"These military actions constitute a further escalation and will only fuel more extremism and radicalization," the statement said, calling on Russia to focus its efforts on fighting IS militants.

On Wednesday, Russian air forces launched airstrikes in the central Syrian provinces of Homs and Hama after Russia's Federation Council, the upper house of parliament, granted President Vladimir Putin the right to send armed forces to Syria.

However, Moscow's military action in Syria has drawn concern from Washington as the pair have different positions regarding Syria's government.

U.S. Secretary of State Kerry on Wednesday expressed "grave concerns" about Russia's intention in Syria, saying "We would have grave concerns should Russia strike areas where ISIL and al-Qaida-affiliated targets are not operating."

White House on Thursday called the Russian air strikes in Syria "indiscriminate", and it risks prolonging the sectarian conflict in the country.

The Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday that its air forces carried out 20 sorties during the first round of airstrikes against the IS in Syria, hitting eight targets, including a command center. Endit