In this Oct. 1, 2015, image taken from a video provided by the Syrian activist-based media group Qasioun News, Syrians gather as smoke rises from the rubble of a building after a Russian airstrike, in Dair al-Asafeer village, rural Damascus. AP/BTA
Defense ministry officials of Russia and the United States have discussed the safe operation of their air forces in Syria, TASS reported on Friday.
"Yesterday, at the initiative of the American side, there was a video conference of Russian Defense Ministry and Pentagon officials. Safe use of aviation over Syrian territory and the role of the newly-created information center in Baghdad were discussed," the Russian news agency quoted Defense Ministry spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov as telling reporters.
The Pentagon said earlier that the two sides discussed steps aimed at ensuring the safety of air crews operating over Syria.