(VOVWORLD) - Russia’s Defense Ministry said an agreement to set up safe zones in Syria came into effect at midnight on Friday but Russia will continue airstrikes targeting the Islamic State in other areas in Syria.
Russian fighter jets in Syria (Photo: AP)
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The Ministry said the safe zones include Idlib province and areas around Latakia, Aleppo, and Hama cities, which are home to more than 1 million people. Russian Deputy Minister of Defense Alexander Fomin said the support from the US, the United Nations, and Saudi Arabia facilitates the agreement to come into effect.
In another development, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had a telephone talk to discuss ways to reduce tension in Syria, enhance cooperation in the fight against terrorism and promote negotiations on the Syrian issue.