Putin sorry as Russian war planes kill three allied troops

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The leader of the Kremlin phoned Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan to say sorry
Bombs were dropped from Russian war planes on Turkish troops in Al-Bab, Syria
The air strikes were meant to be aimed at Islamic State, who occupy the area
As well as the three soldiers who died, another 11 were injured in the deadly blast

Published: 10:26 EST, 9 February 2017 | Updated: 13:16 EST, 9 February 2017

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Vladimir Putin has personally apologised after a Russian air strike accidentally killed three Turkish soldiers while trying to hit ISIS targets in Syria.

The leader of the Kremlin phoned Turkey's president Tayyip Erdogan to say sorry for the bombardment that was meant for terrorists in Al-Bab.

Bombs were dropped on Turkish troops in an incident of friendly fire and as well as the three who died, 11 other soldiers were injured.

The aftermath of the air strikes which killed three Turkish soldiers in Al-Bab in Syria

A soldier in camouflage gear assesses the damage from the bombs being dropped in Syria

Two fighters from the Free Syrian Army stand next to an armoured pickup truck, one carrying a machine gun, near the town of Bizaah northeast of the city of Al-Bab

Vladimir Putin (left) has called Tayyip Erdogan (right) to apologise over the air strike mishap

The Kremlin confirmed on Thursday that Russian war planes had accidentally killed its allies, the RIA news agency reported.

Turkish-backed Syrian opposition fighters resumed a major offensive inside the city on Thursday, a day after they broke through IS defences in its remaining stronghold in Aleppo province.

Russia's defence ministry issued a statement following the apologetic phone call, which read: 'Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

'They continue to exchange views on key aspects of the crisis in Syria in the context of the joint fight against international terrorism.

'Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences over the tragic incident of the deaths of several Turkish soldiers near the town of Al-Bab.

'It was agreed on enhancing coordination on the military side in Syria during operations against militants and other extremist organisations.'

A map showing who controls areas of north-western Syria. The darkest colour shows Islamic State (ISIS), yellow is the People's Protection Units (YPG) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), green is the Free Syrian Army and the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), brown is Assad's Syrian Army and the National Defence Force (NDF) and the red regions are being contested

The statement went on to discuss a ceasefire deal between the two countries and Iran relating to violence in Syria.

They also talked about Russian-Turkish trade cooperation and a meeting that was scheduled for next month.

The meeting is set to involve the top brass from each of the two countries.

It was reported on Monday, the Islamic State group is 'completely besieged' in Al-Bab after forces loyal to Syria's regime cut off a road into the jihadists' last major stronghold in Aleppo province.

Syria's army and its allies advanced towards the northern Islamic-State held city on Monday, cutting off the last main supply route that connects to militant strongholds further east towards Iraq.

Islamic State militants are now effectively besieged in the area, by the army from the south and by Turkish-backed rebels from the north, as Damascus and Ankara race to capture the largest IS stronghold in Aleppo province.