“We’re proposing to the United States as a co-chairman of the International Syria Support Group to start joint operations of the Russia air task force and the US-led aviation from May 25 to plan and deliver strikes against Jabhat al-Nusra groups, illegal armed formations that are rejecting the ceasefire regime,” Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told a Defence Ministry meeting, which was broadcast on Russian state television on Friday.
Joint Russian-US airstrikes could also target the movement of weapons and ammunition crossing into Syria from Turkey, Shoigu said.
He added that such action would be in coordination with the Syrian government.
Russia would, however, reserve the right to launch unilateral airstrikes against terrorist groups and illegal groups who have not joined the ceasefire beginning May 25.
“We believe the adoption of these measures will allow a transition to a peaceful process to be achieved in the entire territory of Syria,” Shoigu said. “Of course, these measures have been coordinated with the leadership of the Syrian Arab Republic.”
Russia is a staunch supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The United States, however, supports rebel groups trying to overthrow Assad.
Both nations oppose Jabhat al-Nusra, which has ties to al Qaeda and is not included in the cessation of hostilities.
The US, Russia and other military counterparts involved in the conflict in Syria are meeting in Geneva.
The US and Russia, as co-chairs of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), are leading efforts for a renewed ceasefire in Syria. Shoigu noted that 138 various armed units in Syria have joined the ceasefire so far.
