Wednesday, 17 August 2016

Syrian conflict: Russian bombers use Iran base for air strikes

A still image, taken from video footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry on 16 August 2016, shows a Russian Tupolev Tu-22M3 long-range bomber based in Iran dropping bombs on an unknown location in Syria
A Russian defence ministry video showed a Tupolev Tu-22M3 dropping bombs over Syria
Russia's defence ministry says it has used a base in western Iran to carry out air strikes in Syria.

Tupolev-22M3 long-range bombers and Sukhoi-34 strike fighters took off from Hamedan on Tuesday, a statement said. Targets were hit in Aleppo, Idlib and Deir al-Zour provinces, it added. Local groups said 27 civilians had died.
Aftermath of reported air strike on rebel-held district of Sakhur in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo on 15 August 2016
Dozens of people have been killed in air strikes on rebel-held areas of Aleppo in recent weeks
It is reportedly the first time Russia has struck targets inside Syria from a third country since it began a campaign to prop up Syria's president last year.

Iran is Bashar al-Assad's main regional ally and has provided significant military and financial support since an uprising against him erupted in 2011.
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The US State Department said Russia's use of an Iranian base was "unfortunate but not surprising". Asked about moves towards a possible agreement with Russia to co-operate in fighting so-called Islamic State (IS), a spokesman, Mark Toner, said closer Russian-Iranian ties would not necessarily preclude a deal. But he added: "We're not there yet."
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