Flights security

Syria air strikes: US and Russia expected to meet over risk of their planes clashing

The Pentagon has said it expects to hold new talks with Russia’s military on pilot safety in Syria’s war as soon as this weekend as the US and the Kremlin seek to avoid accidental clashes as they carry out separate bombing campaigns.

Russia’s entry into Syria’s civil war has complicated America’s more than year-old campaign of air strikes against Islamic State. At least one US jet had to change course to avoid an incident.

The United States, which opposes Moscow’s support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has ruled out co-operation with Russia but has agreed to work on air safety procedures.