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Conflict in Syria

Syrian diplomat welcomes suspension of Russian-US memorandum on aviation safety

MOSCOW, April 10. /TASS/. Russia made a right decision to suspend the aviation safety memorandum with the United States, Syrian Ambassador to Moscow Riyad Haddad said.

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Moscow suspends US-Russian memorandum on flight safety over Syria

"I believe it to be a right step because Russia is the main ally of Syria’s legitimate government and a guarantor of international law," he said. "Russia has been playing an invaluable role in the fight against international terrorism, so if the US-led coalition targets the army that has been combatting the forces of terrorism, then it is a right step to protect your ally," Haddad said in an interview with Russia’s Izvestia daily.

On April 7, at the direction of US President Donald Trump, the US forces fired 59 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAM) on a Syrian military air base located in the Homs Governorate. The attack came as a response to the alleged use of chemical weapons in the Idlib Governorate on April 4. The US authorities believe that the airstrike on Idlib was launched from that air base.

The Russian and Syrian militaries denied their involvement in the attack. Russia’s Defense Ministry later said that on April 4, the Syrian air force had delivered an airstrike on the eastern outskirts of Khan Shaykhun to destroy militant facilities used to produce chemical bombs. These bombs were sent to Iraq and were previously used in Aleppo.

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow considered this attack to be an act of aggression against a sovereign state. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in turn, said that the aggression was carried out under a false pretext.

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Russian Defense Ministry to suspend communications hotline with Pentagon as of April 8

Following the attack, Russia’s Defense Ministry suspended cooperation with the US military aimed at the implementation of the memorandum on aviation safety in Syria’s airspace.

The Memorandum, drawn up in October 2015, contains a number of rules and restrictions which aim at preventing dangerous encounters between the Russian and US warplanes. In accordance with the document, the two countries set up 24-hour communications channels and outlined a mechanism for cooperation, particularly stipulating mutual assistance in crisis situations.

Pentagon said earlier that the memorandum did not envisage providing Moscow with information about targets in Syria.

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Syrian conflict

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Financial watchdog blacklists I/We Sergey Furgal movement as extremist

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Ukraine turns into testing ground for future world order, says Belarus president

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Builders from Azerbaijan participate in BAM upgrade — Putin

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US effectively dooms Ukraine by its new decisions, Russian envoy says

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US stops hiding true purpose of sanctions on Moscow, Russian envoy says

"It’s not about any mythical aspirations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, but about banal opportunistic and predatory ambitions," Anatoly Antonov said

Kiev's attacks on ZNPP may trigger another Chernobyl — Zaporozhye governor

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Zelensky's presidential powers to expire May 21 — Ukrainian legislator

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Ukraine’s army leaves first defensive line in Berdychi near Avdeyevka, says DPR

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Most countries in Global South wary of growing NATO influence — Lavrov

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Press review: US tries to strong-arm China and Zelensky's bid to bring men home

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 25th

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Russian gas production to gain 4.6% in 2024 — Economy Ministry

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Scholz asks allies to find additional air defense capabilities for Ukraine

Germany is the second largest arms supplier to Ukraine after the US

Insurers refuse to pay compensation for Nord Stream — Russian envoy to UN

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Russia firmly ready for peace solution in Ukraine — Kremlin spokesman

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Russia warns US, NATO against harming its security — diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that "the level of nuclear risks have risen dramatically as a result of the West’s destructive policy, which is fraught with a direct military confrontation between nuclear powers"

Over 10,000 Polish nationals fought in Ukraine in 2022, politician says

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Israel eliminates one of al-Jamaa al-Islamiya commanders in Lebanon — IDF

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Russia to hold next international security meeting in 2025 — top security official

The date and location will be announced later