Russia's is making it difficult for the US to coordinate against ISIS
Russia's military strategies in Syria may be impeding the efforts of the United States and its allies. Moreover, according to Western and European, the radical efforts of the Russians can make it difficult for the United States to coordinate efforts with Moscow.
Russia is following a different mission which can make it difficult for other countries operating in Syria as well. Moscow has been hitting different targets compared to US-led missions. Its military force also uses a different approach, according to The Wall Street Journal. Furthermore, human rights groups and defence analysts have pointed out how Russia's strikes and raids are not as accurate as those of the United States. This includes assessing the "collateral damage" of such strikes. Russian military attacks have already killed hundreds of civilians.
“The problem for the West is that the Russians are conducting their campaign like Chechnya,” said Michael Clarke. He just stepped down from London's defence think tank, the Royal United Services Institute.
“They are very indiscriminate, which is deliberate,” he added.
Russian military officials defended their actions. They also called on the United States and its allies to work with Moscow to fight the Islamic State. Russia’s Defence Ministry also commended the accuracy and efficiency of its air force over the launched strikes in Syria.
“As a result of the airstrikes, the terrorists have suffered considerable losses in manpower,” said Col. Gen. Andrey Kartapolov during a ministry briefing.
“Any objective observer cannot have a shadow of a doubt about the true intentions of Russia’s airstrikes,” added Maria Zakharova, the ministry spokeswoman.
“We are talking exclusively about terrorist groups and where they are located, and in no way is civilian infrastructure a target for Russia’s air force.”
In the meantime, Moscow appears to still be reeling from the downing of its warplane. According to Russia, the West failed in preventing the Turkey from shooting down the plane. Russia's Foreign Ministry said Moscow and Washington signed a memorandum guaranteeing protection for military aviation flights in Syrian airspace. The ministry further said that the US did not ensure Turkey will comply with the relevant provisions.
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