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Fight against Islamic state

Moscow ready to work with all constructive forces against IS, including Kurds — diplomat

"We are in Syria at the invitation of the Syrian government and are ready to work with all the constructive forces that are ready for joint fight against IS," a Russian diplomat said

© AP Photo/Bram Janssen, File

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. Russia is ready to work with all constructive forces in Syria in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexey Meshkov said on Thursday, answering a question about possible cooperation with Kurds.

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"We are in Syria at the invitation of the Syrian government and are ready to work with all the constructive forces that are ready for joint fight against IS," Meshkov said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said previously, in particular, that Moscow established contacts with the Iraqi Kurds through the Iraqi government. "As for Iraq, we have said more than once that when it is necessary to support the joint efforts of the central government of Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan in the fight against terrorism, we are doing that with consent of and through the Iraqi government," Lavrov said. "The developments have shown only one thing: all who are combating terrorism should gather together."

He said on Wednesday, commenting on Turkey’s statements that Moscow allegedly supplies weapons to Kurds in Syria that Russia was rendering military support to the governments of Syria and Iraq in the fight against terrorists. "We are rendering support in the fight against terrorism in the military-technical cooperation sphere to central governments of, in particular, Iraq and Syria," Lavrov said.

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Foreign policy Syria Iraq Turkey Islamic State

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