Russian President Vladimir Putin (2nd R) and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (R) visit the Hmeymim air base in Latakia Province, Syria December 11, 2017. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik via REUTERS
The Independent: Russia urges restraint after Israeli air strikes target Iranian forces in Syria
'We urge all parties involved to exercise restraint and to avoid any actions that could lead to an even greater complication of the situation'
Russia has expressed concern and called for calm after Israeli missile strikes struck 12 Syrian and Iranian targets in Syria, including an aerial defence system.
Israel launched heavy air strikes in Syria and said it successfully hit air defences and Iranian targets, while the Syrian army has claimed to have brought down an Israeli F-16 which crashed in northern Israel.
The Russian foreign ministry has urged all sides to refrain from escalating the situation. In a statement, the ministry said: “Of particular concern is the danger of escalation of tension within and around de-escalation zones in Syria, the creation of which has become an important factor in reducing violence on Syrian soil."
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WNU Editor: What's my read. The Russians are urging Iran to back-down ... good luck on that.
Update: Vladimir Putin has no idea what he's doing in the Middle East (Neil Hauer, Foreign Policy)
