U.S.-led coalition more effective in Syria after Russian air strikes began: Lavrov
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also claimed that that U.S.-led coalition against the IS group had become more effective in Syria since the start of the Russian air campaign there in late September.
"We showed them an example, the U.S.-led coalition against IS was not very impressive for the previous year and a half. We are glad that with the success of the Russian operation, the coalition's operation started to become much more effective," Lavrov said.
RIA Novosti, which reported Lavrov's remarks, also included an infographic to show the number of coalition air strikes in Syria and Iraq.
'Capricious people' have emerged among Syrian opposition delegation: Lavrov
Lavrov also commented on the Syria peace talks in Geneva, criticizing the Syrian opposition delegation by saying some in that delegation were putting forward conditions that ran contrary to agreements reached earlier.
"Capricious people have also appeared [in the delegation], who are starting to put forward preconditions that have no relation to the fundamental principles and the Geneva communique, and the Vienna documents and the UN Security Council resolution," Lavrov said.
Lavrov: U.S.-led coalition avoiding dialogue with Russia over Syria
The U.S.-led coalition against IS is avoiding dialogue with Russia regarding operations in Syria and prefers instead to put forward groundless accusations against Moscow ,Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said.
"Unfortunately, our partners have preferred for four months now, starting in September, to continue to repeat unfounded allegations and avoid practical dialogue, which we have invited from the very start. Of course, this is suspicious and raises questions about the coalition's real aims," Lavrov said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has made a number of comments this morning about the Russian air campaign in Syria and the peace talks, which I will summarize in the next few posts.
Canadian who fought IS alongside Kurds detained in Australia
A Canadian man who says he fought the IS group in Syria alongside a Kurdish militia has been detained in Australia and told he will be deported, his father has said, according to Reuters.
Robert Somerville, a Canadian veteran, was detained at Brisbane airport after he told immigration officials he fought alongside the Kurdish YPG against IS last year.
Somerville was traveling to Australia to visit his father, Richard Somerville.
It is illegal for Australians to support any armed group in Syria, according to Reuters.
A number of foreigners including from Europe and North America, have joined the YPG to fight IS but some have faced difficulties after returning home.
Joe Robinson, 22, a British veteran who fought alongside the YPG, was arrested by counter-terrorism police when he returned to the UK, and remains on police bail.
From our news desk:
Iraqis Running Out Of Food, Medicine In Besieged Fallujah
Iraqi officials say tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians are running out of food and medicine in the western city of Fallujah, an Islamic State stronghold under siege by security forces.
Sohaib al-Rawi, the governor of Anbar Province where Fallujah is located, appealed to the U.S.-led coalition combating IS militants to air-drop humanitarian supplies to civilians.
Rawi said it was the only way to deliver aid to Fallujah, located some 50 kilometers from Baghdad, after militants mined the entrances to the city and stopped people leaving.
"No force can enter and secure [the delivery]...There is no option but for airplanes to transport aid," he said in an interview with al-Hadath TV on February 2.
Iraqi media reports have said several people have died due to starvation and poor medical care.
Britain accuses Russia of trying to carve out Alawite state for Assad in Syria
The war of words between Britain and Russia over Syria continues.
Britain says Russia could be trying to carve out an Alawite state in Syria for its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, by bombing his armed opponents rather than IS militants.
The Guardian reports this morning that Britain's Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has dismissed Russia's criticism that he was spreading "dangerous disinformation."
“Is Russia really committed to a peace process or is it using the peace process as a fig leaf to try to deliver some kind of military victory for Assad that creates an Alawite mini state in the north-west of Syria?” Hammond told reporters in Rome.
We are now closing the live blog for today. Join us again tomorrow for all the latest news surrounding Islamic State.
Syrian government advances toward rebel-besieged Shi'ite villages
AFP has the latest on the reports that Syrian government forces are advancing in northern Aleppo province towards two government-held Shi'ite villages that are under siege by rebel forces.
A Syrian colonel on the ground has told AFP that government troops were "three kilometers from Nubol and Zahraa" and that they planned to "break the siege" on the villages and "cut the only remaining rebel supply route between Aleppo city and the north of the province."
Canada won't act in Libya until unity government in place: Foreign Affairs Minister
Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion has said that his country would not act in Libya -- which is under threat from IS militants -- until a single government recognized by the West is in place.
The Globe and Mail reports from Rome where Dion made his comments on the sidelines of a meeting of 23 nations involved in the fight against IS.
"We certainly have an obligation to help the people of Libya,” [Dion] said Tuesday on the sidelines of the Rome meeting of the U.S-led coalition against Islamic State extremists.
"The way to do is something we need to consider with our allies, not alone, and the first step is to have a government that will be our interlocutor."