Russia conducted its first airstrikes in Homs, Syria today where anti-Assad forces were located.
Russia said it was targeting ISIS. The US says ISIS is not located in the area.
Russia ordered the US to clear the air space over Homs.
FOX News reported:
Russian warplanes have begun bombarding Syrian opposition targets in the war torn nation’s north, working on behalf of dictator Bashar al Assad, according to a senior military official.
The official said airstrikes targeted fighters in the vicinity of Homs, located roughly 60 miles east of a Russian naval facility in Tartus, and were carried out by a “couple” of Russian bombers. It was not clear if the strikes targeted ISIS, Al Qaeda or other forces opposed to Assad, who Moscow is aiding. According to a Twitter handle belonging to the Syrian government, the Russian strikes were initiated at the request of Assad.
The development came after Pentagon officials brushed aside an official request from Russia to clear air space over northern Syria, where Moscow intends to conduct airstrikes against ISIS on behalf of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, according to sources who spoke to Fox News.
The request was made by a Russian three-star general who spoke with U.S. officials at the American embassy in Baghdad, sources said. The general, who was not identified, used the word “please” when delivering the verbal request, known as a “demarche,” according to the written transcript of the exchange.
“If you have forces in the area we request they leave,” the general said.
INTENSE RUSSIAN AIR STRIKES ON HOMS PROVINCE.
At least 50 dead civilians.
#Syria #Russia #Homs pic.twitter.com/AwVPtxbU2T
— M barak Cherguia (@CherguiaMbark) September 30, 2015
