Kerry discusses renewed bombing in Aleppo with Russia

US Secretary of State John Kerry in Marrakech, Morocco, on November 16, 2016. REUTERS/Mark RALSTON/POOL


LIMA U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday he discussed Ukraine and "all aspects" of Aleppo including renewed bombing in the Syrian city this week in a meeting with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.


Speaking to reporters after their one-on-one talk during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru, Lavrov denied that Russia's military was carrying out airstrikes in rebel-held Aleppo this week.


"Our air force and the Syrian airforce only work in the provinces of Idlib and Homs to prevent the ISIL who might be leaving Mosul from getting to Syria," Lavrov said, referring to Islamic State militants in Iraq.


Air strikes and shelling in rebel-held Aleppo has killed dozens this week, according to a monitoring group. The bombardment restarted Tuesday after a four-week pause, part of a wider military escalation by the Syrian government and its allies, including Russia, against insurgents.


Lavrov did not comment when asked about the future of the Iran nuclear agreement that Russia helped broker once Donald Trump, who has vowed to dismantle it, becomes president of the United States.


(Reporting by Mitra Taj; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

Next In World News




U.S. House votes to bar sales of commercial aircraft to Iran


WASHINGTON The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday that would block the sale of commercial aircraft to Iran, a bid to stop sales by Boeing and Airbus that have already been approved by President Barack Obama's administration.




Vietnam expanding South China Sea runway: U.S. think tank


WASHINGTON Vietnam is extending a runway on an island it claims in the South China Sea in apparent response to China's building of military facilities on artificial islands in the region, a U.S. think tank reported on Thursday.




Argentina extradites alleged Colombian cocaine boss 'My Blood' to U.S.


BUENOS AIRES Argentina extradited an alleged Colombian drug kingpin known as "My Blood" to the United States on Thursday to face charges of organizing cocaine shipments.

From Around the Web Promoted by Taboola
FOCUS 360