Few Russian strikes in Syria are against Islamic State, U.S. official says
Source: Reuters
World | Sat Jan 9, 2016 8:42am EST
Few Russian strikes in Syria are against Islamic State, U.S. official says
BRUSSELS | BY ROBIN EMMOTT
Only a third of Russia's air strikes in Syria are targeting Islamic State and its imprecise attacks are forcing the population to flee, fuelling Europe's refugee crisis, a senior U.S. official said on Saturday.
Of the 5,000 air strikes carried out by Russia since it began its air offensive in Syria on Sept. 30, about 70 percent hit rebels opposed to President Bashar al-Assad, rather than supporting the efforts of the U.S-led coalition, the official told reporters in Brussels.
Rescue workers and rights groups say Russia's bombing in Syria has killed scores of civilians at busy market places and in residential areas. Russia denies this.
The Kremlin launched its air strikes saying it wanted to help Assad, its main Middle East ally, defeat Islamic State and other militant groups.
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