Russia has also deployed a battalion of marines to guard an airbase used by the Russian air force near the Syrian port city of Latakia, Konashenkov said. “From their perspective, they’re all terrorists, and that’s a recipe for disaster”.
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British intelligence services observed that only five per cent of Russian air strikes had attacked the IS group, with most “killing civilians” and Free Syrian forces fighting Assad, Fallon told the tabloid.
“We’re not going to co-operate with a Russian campaign to destroy anyone who is disgusted and fed up with Assad”.
In Washington, President Barack Obama said Russia’s military campaign fails to distinguish between terrorist groups and moderate rebel forces with a legitimate interest in a negotiated end to the civil war.
The air strikes hit the district of Jabal al-Zawiya, in an area under the control of al Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria and other Islamist rebel groups, said the Britain-based monitor.
Ahead of the talks, a Putin ally and senior lawmaker said the campaign of Russian air strikes will last for three to four months and will increase in intensity.
‘These military actions constitute a further escalation and will only fuel more extremism and radicalisation, ‘ seven countries including the United States, Turkey and Saudi Arabia said in a statement.
The USA and its allies are also carrying out airstrikes in Syria, targeting the Islamic State.
The warehouse was completely destroyed, the ministry said, referring to a “huge cloud of smoke and crater” following the strikes.
ISIS fighters in Raqqa were taking no chances about Russian intentions and skipped Friday prayers to avoid getting caught in mosques that might be targeted.
Putin is due to hold talks with President Francois Hollande in the French capital on Syria before attending a summit also involving the leaders of Ukraine and Germany aimed at consolidating the fragile peace in Ukraine.
Russian military jets carried out airstrikes in Syria for the first time on Wednesday, targeting what Moscow said were ISIS positions.
Uncredited/AP A bomb explosion is seen in Syria as Russia’s launch of airstrikes against Syrian rebels has drawn ire from the U.S.-led coalition that is fighting ISIS.
The top Syrian diplomat said the use of airstrikes in his country would be useless unless it is coordinated with the Damascus government.
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Meanwhile, Philip Hammond, the UK Foreign Secretary said Russian actions in support of the Syrian government are incompatible with the effective prosecution of the war against ISIL.
