Russian pilots manning combat helicopters in Syria can be seen in videos carrying AK-74 assault rifles with them into the cockpit, likely as a precaution in the event they get shot down by rebels.
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But Defense Secretary Ashton Carter ruled out any cooperation with Moscow in the fight against the Islamic State, saying that Russia’s strategy was clearly just to support Assad and his government.
But according to Washington, more than 90 percent of Russia’s strikes have targeted the moderate opposition.
Despite USA claims, Iran said that no Russian cruise missiles landed within its territory during Wednesday’s attack in Syria.
I can’t speak for all but any professional in this area knows that in carrying out such operations an image is always fixed before and after a strike.
The use of cruise missiles launched from Caspian Sea against targets in Syria is questionable to say the least.
There was no immediate reaction from Tehran.
Russian media said the Iranian defense ministry called the reports “intensified western propaganda”.
“NATO is able and ready to defend all allies, including Turkey, against any threat”, the secretary-general said Thursday.
“We will assess the latest developments and their implications for the security of the alliance”.
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation talked tough Thursday about Moscow’s expanding military activity in Syria, but the U.S.-led alliance’s main response to the Russian airstrikes and cruise missile attacks was a public pledge to help reinforce the defenses of member nation Turkey if necessary. “They started [the armed opposition] and taught Daesh and Nusra all these crimes committed against Syria now”.
He claimed the missiles destroyed “all 11 intended targets” and were not “targeted at civilian areas”.
Russian airstrikes were said to have hit 71 armoured vehicles, 30 other vehicles, 19 command facilities, 2 communication centres, 23 depots with fuel and ammunition, 6 plants used to make auto bombs, several artillery pieces and training camps.
In Aleppo province, the monitor said a auto bombing in the town of Hreitan killed 12 people and wounded a similar number. It was not the first time the Russians had bombed the area, but this was their most ferocious attack, he said, speaking via an Internet messaging service.
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The White House declined to comment on the report from the officials, who asked not to be identified, and the State Department said it could not confirm it.
