Islamic State said via its Amaq news channel it had taken complete control of Jebel Tharda, where the bombed position was located, which would have allowed it to overlook government-held areas of Deir al-Zor. “And we of course regret the loss of life”, she said.
Advertisement
Mr Churkin said the air strike had put “a very big question mark” over the future of the United States and Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement in Syria. “This explanation must be given at the UN Security Council”.
In recent months, the Syrian opposition has accused the United States of effectively siding with Mr. Assad by teaming up with Russian Federation and focusing only on hitting designated terrorist groups and not the government, whose warplanes have leveled rebel-held areas, hospitals and civilian homes in indiscriminate strikes.
“The U.S. will continue to pursue compliance with the Cessation of Hostilities as we continue military action against ISIL and al Qaeda”.
“Warplanes from the worldwide anti-jihadist coalition carried out four air strikes today against Syrian forces surrounded by the Islamic State group in the Deir Ezzor air base”, the army said in a statement. The attack, which had been targeting Islamic State militants, hit Syrian soldiers instead, according to the Russian military.
“We halted the attack when we were informed by Russian Federation that it was possible that we were striking Syrian regime military personnel and vehicles”.
Syria’s army has been fighting off a fierce Islamic State offensive around the Deir al-Zor airport since previous year. ‘We are investigating the incident.
The US-led coalition has been conducting air strikes against Islamic State since September 2014 and is also supporting rebels against Assad elsewhere in Syria.
Russian Federation is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government and has been carrying out airstrikes on behalf of his forces since past year. The Observatory monitoring group said at least 20 Daesh fighters were killed in heavy Russian airstrikes during that fighting.
In a statement, US Central Command said: “Coalition forces would not intentionally strike a known Syrian military unit”.
Russian ambassador Vitaly Churkin returned by accusing the United States of violating agreements that it would not target Syrian positions.
“As Australians would expect, the US-led Coalition will review this incident thoroughly and Australia will cooperate fully with this review”.
The airstrike hit a base in the eastern city of Deir el-Zour, which is surrounded by Islamic State militants.
“In the past 24 hours, the number of attacks has risen sharply”, with 55 attacks on government positions and civilians, killing 12 civilians, he said.
Moscow, however, says it suspected foul play aimed at disrupting the next stage of the ceasefire agreement which would see the U.S. and Russian Federation establishing closer operational coordination in Syria.
Earlier on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin questioned the USA commitment to cease-fire, suggesting that Washington wasn’t prepared to break with “terrorist elements” battling Assad’s forces.
“Russia is exerting all possible effort to restrain (Syrian) government troops from returning fire”, Senior Army General Viktor Poznikhir said.
Advertisement
“All the permissions the Syrian government was supposed to give have been given for humanitarian supplies to reach people in need in various parts of Syria and that the humanitarian convoy to eastern Aleppo is supposed to leave tomorrow morning”, Churkin said.
