Turkish PM seeks unity against IS

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Russia, France agree on more cooperation

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu sought to ease tensions with Moscow on Friday over Tuesday's downing of a Russian warplane on the Syrian border, calling for unity against the Islamic State group.

Meanwhile, Turkish media reported that Turkey has "temporarily" suspended airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Francois Hollande agreed to step up cooperation in fight against terrorism while promising that the incident like the downing of the Russian fighter jet should never happen again.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2015-11/28/content_22526336.htm

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1. US, Turkey Halt Airstrikes as S400 Deployed in Syria

US and Turkey have stopped their air raids on Syria since the time Russia has deployed S-400 air defense complexes at the Khmeimin airbase.

A spokesperson of the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) said on Friday that the absence of anti-ISIS coalition airstrikes “has nothing to do with the S400 deployment” in Syria.

“The fluctuation or absence of strikes in Syria reflects the ebb and flow of battle,” the spokesperson said, adding that CJTF-OIR deliver airstrikes when and where it needs to, dedicating a lot of time to researching targets to ensure maximum effect and minimizing civilian casualties.

On November 24, a Turkish F-16 fighter jet shot down a Russian Su-24 bomber, which had been bombing IS positions.

http://en.alalam.ir/news/1764247

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2. Turkey-Russia jet downing: Erdogan 'saddened' over plane

Turkey's president has said he is "saddened" by the downing of a Russian combat jet by Turkish forces on the Syrian border last Tuesday.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he wished the incident had not happened and hoped it would not happen again.

He has so far refused to apologise to Russia, accusing Moscow of "playing with fire" in its Syria operations.

The president's remarks came as Turkey warned its citizens against non-essential travel to Russia.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34953505

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3. Kurdish YPG forces advance in Syria near Turkey’s border

ANKARA,— The powerful Kurdish People’s Defence Units YPG backed by Russia gain ground from Islamic State group (IS) in the Azaz region of Syria near the Turkish border, Turkish state-run Anadolu news agency AA reported.

Russian fighter jets have reportedly facilitated the advance of YPG fighters by carrying out three airstrikes against the road linking the district with the Bab al Salameh border checkpoint.

The Anadolu claim Russian aircraft have also attacked the frontline where YPG is fighting opposition forces in the north of Aleppo. On Thursday, Russia attacked the Deyr Cemal town in the north of Aleppo, aiming to stop the advancement of opposition forces.

Russian aircraft reportedly also attacked opposition forces on the ground in Malikiye and Ziyara towns, north of Aleppo, in support of the YPG in Syrian Kurdistan and Syrian Democratic Forces during the last two days. Last week, Russian jets also attacked opposition forces in Deir Cemal and Meryemeyn in attempts to open corridors for YPG and Syrian Democratic Forces, according to same source.

http://ekurd.net/kurdish-forces-advance-in-syria-2015-11-28

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4. Turkey's Erdogan sees Paris climate summit as chance to mend ties with Russia

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday the climate change summit in Paris next week could be a chance to repair relations with Moscow after Turkey shot down a Russian jet near the Syrian border on Tuesday.

Erdogan has said Turkey would not apologize for downing the jet, which resulted in the death of one of the pilots. Because of this, Russian President Vladimir Putin has refused to contact Erdogan over the incident.

But Moscow has retaliated with economic sanctions on Turkey and has retracted visa-free travel between the two countries.

"The recent events really saddened us," Erdogan said in a televised speech in the western city of Baliksehir. However, he stopped short of the apology demanded by Russia.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/28/us-mideast-crisis-turkey-russia-idUSKBN0TH0FH20151128

[KoKo]

5. Well that's interesting... in light of his Waffling Interview..Falling all over himself: Here:

"Putin Ignored My Phone Calls:" Turkish President Erdogan in Exclusive Interview with "French 24"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/113314242