Russia and Turkey yesterday joined forces for the first time to stage air strikes against Islamic State, marking a highly unusual military partnership between a Nato member and Moscow.

The strikes took place on al-Bab in Aleppo province, in an area Turkish troops and Syrian rebels are trying to oust Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) militants.

Lieutenant General Sergei Rudskoi, a senior Russian defence ministry official, said it was the first time the air forces of Ankara and Moscow had teamed up in this way.

He added that nine Russian and eight Turkish planes took part in the raid, which “destroyed” 36 targets.

The skies above northern Syria have become increasingly crowded - with the Syrian regime and US-led coalition also carrying out strikes on the northern town of al-Bab.