5:50 p.m.
A U.S.-backed Syrian rebel group has claimed that Russian warplanes have hit its positions in central Syria.
The group, known as Tajamu Alezzah, wrote scornfully on Twitter Wednesday that “eradicating terrorism appears to begin with attacks” on its locations in the central city of Latamna in the province of Hama.
The group, which boasts of having TOW missiles, didn’t provide specific details on the targets or how it can ascertain the strikes were by Russian jets.
Washington has equipped and trained a number of moderate Syrian rebel groups but most have been crushed by al-Qaida’s affiliate in Syria.
5:35 p.m.
A Syrian military official says Russian warplanes have targeted positions of the Islamic State group in central Syria.
Syrian state TV quotes an unnamed military official as saying that the air raids are part of the “Russian-Syrian agreement to fight international terrorism and wipe out the Daesh organization.”
The official used an Arabic acronym to refer to the Islamic State group.
The official said on Wednesday that the air raids targeted the extremists’ positions in central Syria including the areas of Rastan and Talbiseh, as well as areas near the town of Salamiyeh in Hama province.
6:05 p.m.
A senior U.S. official says Russia’s airstrikes in Syria did not appear to be targeting the Islamic State group, but other opposition groups fighting against Syrian President Bashar Assad.
The official said IS militants are not in the western part of the country, beyond Homs, where the Russian strikes were directed.
The official was not authorized to discuss the Russian airstrikes publicly so spoke on condition of anonymity.
“A U.S.-backed Syrian rebel group has claimed that Russian warplanes have hit its positions in central Syria.”
Are those the 5 guys we trained that haven’t defected to ISIS ....yet?
They have hit Homs & that’s not an ISIS stronghold.
There are terrible pics & videos coming from there. The Russians are killing Syrian civilians.