Russia to Continue Coordination of Syrian Operation With Iraq

Russia will continue consultations and coordination of its counter-terrorism operations in Syria with Iraq, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — "There is an information exchange between Moscow and Baghdad. You know the actions are coordinated with regard to the operation the Russian Armed Forces are carrying out in Syria, you know the coordination center is working, and so on different levels an information exchange is taking place. It will continue and so will coordination," Peskov told journalists.

Russia’s Sukhoi Su-25, Su-24M and Su-34 attack aircraft, with the support of Su-30 jets, launched precision airstrikes against the Islamic State’s targets in Syria on September 30, following a request from President Bashar Assad.

Russian and Iraqi officials have kept open the possibility of expanding Russia’s anti-ISIL airstrikes from Syria into Iraq. Late last month, the two countries created the Baghdad Information Center, alongside Iran and Syria, to coordinate military actions against the extremist group.

Earlier this month, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi said he would welcome Russian airstrikes on ISIL positions in his country if Russia’s campaign in Syria proved successful.