Russian, US discuss Syria after Turkish offensive

Moscow Jan 21 (IANS) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson discussed ensuring stability in northern Syria by phone Saturday after Turkey started bombing Kurdish forces in Afrin in northern Syria.

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Saturday said Lavrov and Tillerson also discussed promoting a peaceful settlement of the Syrian conflict under the auspices of the United Nations which should be facilitated by the Syrian National Dialogue Congress to be held in Russia s city of Sochi with broad participation Xinhua reported.

Earlier on Saturday three Turkish F-16 jets launched 11 airstrikes on Kurdish positions on the outskirts of Kurdish-held Afrin in northern Syria near the Turkish border marking the official beginning of the Turkish military campaign against the Syrian Kurdish fighters in the region.

Russia withdrew its servicemen from Afrin to avert dangers and urged the opposing sides to exercise restraint.

--IANS
pgh/