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1st LD: U.S., Russia sign memo on safe flight operations over Syria

Xinhua, October 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Pentagon said on Tuesday the United States and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding on safe flight operations over Syria as they carry out separate airstrikes against militant groups in the country.

"Senior officials from the Department of Defense and the Russian Ministry of Defense signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding measures to minimize the risk of in-flight incidents between coalition and Russian aircraft operating in Syrian airspace," said Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook here at a briefing.

According to Cook, specific safety protocols were established for air crews of both sides to follow, including the use of specific communication frequencies and the establishment of a communication line on the ground.

The U.S. and Russian militaries would also form a working group to discuss any implementation issues that would follow, added Cook.

The two countries reached agreement on air safety in Syria 10 days after U.S. and Russian aircrafts came within visual range of each other during a mission.

To avoid an inadvertent clash in Syrian airspace during their airstrikes against the extremist group the Islamic State (IS), the United States and Russia started their latest round of military contacts early this month after a long hiatus due to rivalry on the Ukraine crisis. Enditem