"We do have common interests with Russia. Russia does see Daesh as a growing threat, not simply in Syria, but in areas along it, and, possibly, within its own borders. So I think we have a common interest in combating Daesh terrorism," Fallon said in an address to a meeting of the UK Parliament Defence Committee dedicated to Russia's impact on UK defense and security.
The United Kingdom has been involved in the US-led anti-Daesh coalition in Syria and Iraq since September 2014. Russia began its own counter-terrorist campaign in Syria in September 2015 and has been involved in international mediation efforts to bring about the Syrian ceasefire and Geneva peace talks.
Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad fighting numerous opposition factions and extremist groups.The Daesh terrorist groupoutlawed in many countries, including Russia, took over large swathes of Syria and Iraq in 2014.
