Thursday, October 1, 2015

Russia launches fresh strikes,destroy ISIS ammunition depot


Russia says it has launched air strikes in Syria for a second day, targeting militants from Islamic State (IS).
The defence ministry said its jets had destroyed an IS ammunition depot and control centres.
However, the areas reportedly attacked appeared to be held by groups opposed to IS and the Syrian government.
The US and its allies fear the strikes have mainly targeted
non-IS opponents of Russia's ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon and Russian military officials are due to hold talks on avoiding clashes between their forces in Syria.
The latest attacks reportedly hit sites in the north-west held by the Army of Conquest rebel alliance, as well as areas in Homs and Hama provinces.
The strategic town of Jisr al-Shughour was hit, as well as areas in Idlib province and Hama province further south, according to Lebanon's al-Mayadeen TV.

Rebel activists also reported strikes at Ghantu in Homs province, close to some of Wednesday's attacks.
Russia said it had hit 12 IS positions in the past 24 hours, although this cannot be independently verified.
Analysis by Jonathan Marcus, BBC diplomatic correspondent
The Syrian government's army may not be what it was, but in local terms it is still a force to be reckoned with.

Bolstered with new Russian equipment and now backed by Russian air power, it could hold its own against most of the opposition forces.
Russia does not have the elaborate intelligence gathering panoply of the US. But much of its targeting will be based upon tactical intelligence obtained from Syrian units on the ground.
This then is the key to Russia's strategy. It is to consolidate the Assad regime, to relieve the pressure points and to ensure that its ally remains a factor in any future diplomatic settlement.
To this end - and there are strong indications of this even from Russia's initial air strikes - Moscow will hit any opponents of the Syrian regime where necessary.
Two of Thursday's sorties were against a rebel group trained by the CIA, its commander said.
Hassan Haj Ali, of the Liwa Suqour al-Jabal group, told Reuters news agency that about 20 missiles had hit their training camp in Idlib province.
He said the Russian jets were identified by former Syrian air force pilots who are now members of his group.(bbc)

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