US, Russia Resume Syria Ceasefire Talks Despite Daesh Spokesman Dispute

© REUTERS / Rodi SaidSyria Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters greet civilians who were evacuated by the SDF from an Islamic State-controlled neighbourhood of Manbij, in Aleppo Governorate, Syria, August 12, 2016
Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters greet civilians who were evacuated by the SDF from an Islamic State-controlled neighbourhood of Manbij, in Aleppo Governorate, Syria, August 12, 2016 - Sputnik International
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US and Russian technical teams have commenced talks in Geneva on developing a sustainable ceasefire in Syria that will not be hindered by recent dispute over who killed a Daesh spokesman, US Secretary of State spokesperson John Kirby said in a briefing on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Kirby added that discussions between the United States and Russia will not be hindered by the dispute over who killed the Daesh spokesman in Syria.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed Russia’s Su-34 fighter-bombers killed up to 40 Daesh militants including the terrorist group’s spokesperson Abu Mohammed al-Adnani.

The US Department of Defense said it had no information to support Moscow’s claim.

"Today our two [US-Russian] technical teams have resumed work in Geneva and the Secretary [John Kerry] is very focused on that effort which, as you know from the press conference last week with Foreign Minister [Sergei] Lavrov, both he [Lavrov] and Secretary Kerry made progress with trying to solidify proposals that would allow us to get an enduring cessation of hostilities across the country."

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The US Department of Defense, Kirby stated, launched a strike against an Daesh target, but they were still assessing the success of the operation. The State Department spokesperson added that the US and Russia are still not coordinating on conducting airstrikes in Syria.

Last week, after marathon talks with Lavrov on the Syrian crisis, Kerry said that Russian and US military experts would hold consultations in the upcoming days in Geneva to discuss issues concerning the Syrian settlement.

Russian media outlet Izvestia newspaper reported earlier on Wednesay, citing sources familiar with the consultations, that Moscow has insisted that US and Syrian forces should coordinate on operations in the northern province of Aleppo.

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