Turkey, coalition partners, call on Russia to cease air strikes in Syria

ANKARA

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov addresses the media during the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations in Manhattan, New York, October 1, 2015. Reuters Photo

Turkey and its partners in the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) on Oct. 2 called on Russia to cease its attacks on the Syria's opposition and focus on fighting Islamic militants, expressing "deep concern" over Moscow's air strikes. 

In a joint statement with the United States, Britain, France, Germany and Gulf Arab allies, Turkey said Russia's actions constituted a "further escalation" of the conflict and would only fuel more extremism.

We call on Russia Federation to end its attacks on Syrian opposition and civilians immediately and focus on efforts for struggle against DAESH,” read the statement, using an Arabic acronym for ISIL.