Syrian jets pound IS stronghold of Palmyra as Kerry urges Russia to help

Syrian war planes have launched the heaviest raids yet on the ancient city of Palmyra, which is held by Islamic State fighters. Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said close to 25 air strikes have left at least 26 people dead which included 12 members of the jihadist group. The air strikes came a day after the Syrian army carried out heavy air raids in the northern city of Raqqa, an IS hotbed, in which close to 18 jihadists and civilians were killed. Palmyra came under the spotlight in May when IS militants after taking control of the town took no time in destroying the 2,000-year-old Temple of Bel, one of Middle East’s most important archaeological sites.

Would we welcome Russian help in going against Isil? Obviously. We have talked about it for some period of time.

US Secretary of State John Kerry

Meanwhile, Britain’s Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond says the crisis in Syria is becoming “more complicated” by Russian involvement in tackling Islamic State. Mr Hammond said the possibility of a fresh vote on British military action in Syria is kept under constant review but indicated the Government has reservations about any involvement by the Federation, a key ally of Bashar Assad’s regime. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who is on a three-day visit to the UK, said American and Russian defence secretaries had held extensive talks by telephone on defeating IS, also known as Isil. He urged Russia and Iran to use their influence with Syria President Bashar al-Assad to bring him to the negotiating table.

I think we need to discuss this as part of a much bigger problem, the migration pressures, the humanitarian crisis in Syria as well as the need to defeat Isil.

UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond

Middle East Syria Assad