Russia Says Deal Bars Americans From Much of Syria’s Skies. U.S. Says No.
eclude anyone from going after terrorists wherever they may be in Syria." The spokesman, Edgar Vasquez, said the Russian interpretation of their own agreement "makes
no sense." A State Department envoy was at the talks where the deal was reached, although the United States was not one of the signers of the agreement. that pr
By ANNE BARNARDMAY 5, 2017
BEIRUT, Lebanon — United States and allied aircraft will be banned from flying over much of Syria as part of a deal struck by Iran, Russia
and Turkey to foster a cease-fire in the Syrian war, a senior Russian diplomat said on Friday.
"The regime will be committed to the deal because the Russians are the guarantor, so if the Russians said no bombing, the regime will stop." No-fly zones have
been a contentious issue in the Syrian conflict, now in its seventh year; they have long been requested by rebel groups and rejected by the government.
Mr. Putin said on Wednesday that aircraft would not operate over the designated zones, "provided
that these zones show no sign of military activity." "These are all subtle professional issues," he said.