RUSSIAN FIRE

TURKISH ARMED FORCES SAY ‘ACCIDENTAL’

A Russian warplane yesterday struck a building with Turkish soldiers inside on an air raid targeting ISIL in Al-Bab. The Turkish Armed Forces commented that three soldiers were killed by a ‘bomb that accidentally hit a building with Turkish Armed Forces members inside at 8.40 yesterday morning.’ Eleven soldiers were also injured, one seriously.

PUTIN CALLED ERDOĞAN

Russian leader Putin, conveying his ‘regrets’ to Erdoğan, said that the incident was due to the inadequacy of military coordination and he announced that cooperation would be stepped up. The incident took place on the day CIA Chief Pompeo was making his first visit to Ankara. Eight soldiers have lost their lives in the Euphrates Shield operation in the past two days.