Brussels: Russia’s military pullout from Syria is welcome and could help slow the flood of refugees causing Europe’s worst migrant crisis in decades, European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker said Thursday.
“I welcome the initiatives taken by the Russian leadership to withdraw from Syria,” Juncker said ahead of a crunch EU leaders summit on the migration crisis.
“It could be easily that this would reduce the number of refugees (coming) to Europe but it is too early to say,” he added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin surprised the world when he ordered the withdrawal this week, having launched a massive air campaign in September to help long-time ally Syrian President Bashar Assad regain ground lost to rebels seeking his ouster.
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Russia Syria pullout could slow EU refugee flows: Juncker
Russia Syria pullout could slow EU refugee flows: Juncker
Three vessels hit by projectiles in Strait of Hormuz
- A projectile hit a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, setting it ablaze
DUBAI: Three vessels have been hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, maritime security agencies and sources said on Wednesday.
One of the strikes led to a fire onboard a ship and forced most of its crew to evacuate it.
The Thailand-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree was targeted and damaged approximately 11 nautical miles north of Oman, two maritime security sources cited by Reuters have said.
The fire had been extinguished and that there was no environmental impact, a report by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said later, referring to the incident. Necessary crew remained on the vessel.
Earlier, a container ship and a bulk carrier were hit off the coast of the UAE by unknown projectiles, UKMTO also said.
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery accounting for about 20% of global oil and gas supply, has dropped rapidly since the Iran conflict began on February 28.
The latest incidents increase the number of ships that have been attacked since the conflict began to at least 14.
(with Reuters)
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