Russia announced that it had launched air strikes in several provinces of Syria, alongside the Syrian air force. According to the Russian Defense Ministry spokesman, Major-General Igor Konashenkov, Russian aircraft carried out about 20 sorties to hit eight sites of the terrorist group Islamic State. The targets were arms, transportation, communications and control positions.
A Syrian security source informed that the targets were in al-Rastan, Talbiseh and Zafaraniya of the Homs province; Al-Tilol al-Hmer, in Qunaitra province; Aydoun, a village on the outskirts of the town of Salamiya; Deer Foul, between Hama and Homs; and the outskirts of Salmiya.
Air strikes came just hours after the Federation Council, Russia's upper house of parliament gave a ast-tracked approval to use force in Syria. Over the past few weeks, Russian military have been building up forces at two bases in territory controlled by Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Russian aircraft were deployed at the Syrian government stronghold of Latakia, while naval forces from the Black Sea Fleet had set up a small naval station at Tartus. The air strikes were reportedly carried out by SU-24 based at Latakia.
The U.S. was notified of the planned air strikes one hour prior to the launch. A Russian official based in Baghdad requested that U.S. warplanes avoid airspace over the targets.
Meanwhile, U.S. official announced that the targets struck were Assad's opponents rather than the ISIL.
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A Syrian security source informed that the targets were in al-Rastan, Talbiseh and Zafaraniya of the Homs province; Al-Tilol al-Hmer, in Qunaitra province; Aydoun, a village on the outskirts of the town of Salamiya; Deer Foul, between Hama and Homs; and the outskirts of Salmiya.
Air strikes came just hours after the Federation Council, Russia's upper house of parliament gave a ast-tracked approval to use force in Syria. Over the past few weeks, Russian military have been building up forces at two bases in territory controlled by Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Russian aircraft were deployed at the Syrian government stronghold of Latakia, while naval forces from the Black Sea Fleet had set up a small naval station at Tartus. The air strikes were reportedly carried out by SU-24 based at Latakia.
The U.S. was notified of the planned air strikes one hour prior to the launch. A Russian official based in Baghdad requested that U.S. warplanes avoid airspace over the targets.
Meanwhile, U.S. official announced that the targets struck were Assad's opponents rather than the ISIL.
Video clip distributed by the Russian Defense Ministry. Purportedly of Russian warplanes attacking the positions of ISIS militants. (Source: Pravada)
The Moscow Times
Pravda
TASS
BBC
CNN
ChannelNewsAsia
