The Russian Defense Ministry released a video showing a Russian Tu-22M3 long-range bomber dropping bombs in strikes described as “terrorist objects in Syria”. Russian Federation has also requested the use of Iranian airspace to fire cruise missiles at rebel targets in Syria.
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The jets took off “with a full bomb load” from the Hamadan base and were protected by Su-30sm and Su-35s military airplanes, the statement added.
Commenting on the reports, SNSC Secretary Ali Shamkhani told Iran’s IRNA news service that the two countries enjoy strategic cooperation and that Tehran was ready to share its facilities with Moscow to fight terrorism in Syria.
Iran and Russian Federation are the two firmest backers of the Assad regime and have opposed global calls for the Syrian leader to step down in a bid to resolve the 5-year civil war, which has killed more than 290,000 people.
Russian Federation asked Iran and Iraq last week to allow cruise missiles to pass through their airspace, the Interfax news service reported Monday, citing an unidentified person with knowledge of the matter.
Russia’s latest military moves in Syria have sharpened divisions within the U.S. administration over whether Russian President Vladimir Putin genuinely backs a UN-led initiative to end the civil war or is using the negotiations to mask renewed military support for Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Fighting for control of the shattered city, a former economic hub in northwestern Syria, has intensified after regime troops seized control of the last supply route into rebel-held areas in mid-July.
But it was only five months ago that President Vladimir Putin proudly announced that most Russian forces were on their way home after their mission was “generally accomplished”.
But rights groups have criticized both Russian Federation and the Syrian regime for repeated strikes on civilian targets, including homes, schools and hospitals.
“The advantage in reducing flight-time, costs, and what the Russians say is the effectiveness of the strikes, makes this a pretty clear tactical decision to make”.
As for Khmeimim Airbase in Syria’s Latakia province, used by Russian task force since September 2015 to deliver airstrikes against Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) – its airstrip is not suitable for the heavy Tu-22M3.
Air raids on two rebel-held districts of Syria’s battleground second city Aleppo on Tuesday, August 16 killed 19 civilians, including three children, a monitoring group said.
Earlier on Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Syrian militants had used a temporary ceasefire around Aleppo to regroup.
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Shoigu disputed accusations that Moscow has imposed a blockade on rebel-held areas of Aleppo, calling them “untrue” and “propaganda”. However, nothing bars Iranian officials from allowing foreign countries to use an airfield.
