Russia calls for joint action with US against Nusra Front in Syria

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Friday that Moscow had proposed to Washington that they encourage all militants willing to abide by a ceasefire in Syria to leave areas whe-re Nusra is present before May 25.

He said Moscow suggested that, starting f-rom that date, Russia and the US-led coalition conduct joint strikes against Nusra and any other groups refusing to honour the truce.

The US-Russia-brokered ceasefire has helped reduce violence in Syria, but it has been steadily eroding. The Islamic State group and the Nusra Front have been excluded f-rom the ceasefire, and Russia long has pushed for excluding other militant groups that have co-operated with Nusra.