There is no need for creating the new coalition against the ISIS militant group, as the US-led alliance is operating successfully both in Syria and Iraq, US State Department spokesperson said Tuesday. In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem that Moscow would support the establishment of an anti-terrorism coalition if Syria considered it appropriate and possible. Earlier on Tuesday, Putin said Russia will continue to provide the necessary military and technical assistance to Syria to fight the Islamic State terrorists, and urged other countries to join the efforts. A boy runs as he rushes away from a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria West Reaping the Whirlwind It Sowed in Middle East – Iranian Expert Kirby has previously stated that the United States would welcome Russia's "constructive role" in the fight against the Islamic State. He added, however, that Moscow should not try to strengthen the Syrian government of President Bashar Assad. The US-led coalition began carrying out airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq in August, expanding the air campaign to Syria in September, though without Syrian government approval. The coalition has conducted more than 6,500 airstrikes and eliminated estimated 10,000 Islamic State fighters, according to US intelligence.
