The US said the move would escalate tensions in the region
conflict
The group was repelled by Syrian government forces
A river around which wars are being fought since antiquity
It started in 2015
The EU in March extended by a further six months sanctions against Russian & Ukrainian officials over their suspected involvement in the eastern Ukraine conflict
Military action is feared after a chemical attack killed dozens of people in the rebel-held town of Douma
Panos Kammenos spoke to French newspaper Liberation
The deployment comes after a reported deal between Damascus and Kurdish authorities
No military personnel were among the casualties, the Russian ministry says
The new routes will start in summer