US SEEK TALKS WITH RUSSIA ABOUT SYRIA AIR RAIDS

Keeping each other's air operations in Syria from colliding or getting in each other's way

José Luis Celada Euba / Flickr

by AP | SEPTEMBER 30, 2015

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The latest developments as Russia and other nations counter Islamic State militants in Syria. All times local:

5:00 p.m.

Pentagon’s press secretary says Defense Secretary Ash Carter has instructed his staff to talk to Russian officials about how to keep each other’s air operations in Syria from colliding or getting in each other’s way.

Peter Cook said it was not yet clear when these talks would start or who would participate.

Russia’s defense ministry earlier Tuesday said its jets have started carrying out airstrikes on Islamic State group positions in Syria.

A U.S. led coalition has been targeting IS militants in Syria and Iraq since last year.

Russia and the U.S. are at odds over the Russian involvement because Washington has said Syrian President Bashar Assad, who is a key ally of Moscow, must be removed from power.