WarSclerotic

Russia says its air force held joint drill with US in Syria

The Russian and American air forces have held joint drills “by crews and ground services in Syria in case of dangerous approach by aircraft,” the Interfax news agency quotes the Russian army as saying.

Both countries are conducting airstrikes in the war-torn country, ostensibly against Islamic State, although Russia has been accused of targeting Western-backed opposition forces also fighting the Assad regime.

According to the Russian army, crews from Russia and the US-led coalition against IS come “within a range of 3 nautical miles, exchange phrases in Russian [and] English in [a] specially designated area in Syria.”

The Russian army also said that Moscow and Jerusalem were “exchanging info round-the-clock to ensure safe flights over Syria.”

Israel Air Force warplanes reportedly struck Hezbollah targets in Syria on Saturday.