Russian Airstrikes against Assad enemies: Syria Crisis

Russia has begun carrying out air strikes in Syria
against opponents of President Bashar al-Assad.
The strikes reportedly hit rebel-controlled areas of
Homs and Hama provinces, causing casualties.

The US says it was informed an hour before they
took place.
Russian defence officials say aircraft targeted the
Islamic State group, but an unnamed US official told
Reuters that so far they did not appear to be
targeting IS-held territory.
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Syria's civil war has raged for four years, with an
array of armed groups fighting to overthrow the
government.

The US and its allies have insisted that President
Assad should leave office, while Russia has backed
its ally remaining in power.
The upper house of the Russian parliament earlier
granted President Vladimir Putin permission to
deploy the Russian air force in Syria.
The Russian defence ministry said the country's air
force had targeted IS military equipment,
communication facilities, arms depots, ammunition
and fuel supplies.
Syrian opposition activists said Russian warplanes
had hit towns including Zafaraneh, Rastan and
Talbiseh, resulting in the deaths of 36 people, a
number of them children.
None of the areas targeted were controlled by IS,
activists said.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said the United
States was prepared to welcome Russian military
action in Syria - but only as long as it was directed
against IS and al-Qaeda-linked groups.

Speaking at the United Nations Security Council, Mr
Kerry said the US would have "grave concerns" if
Russia conducted strikes against other groups.
He said the US-led coalition against IS would
"dramatically accelerate our efforts" and that the
US was prepared to hold talks with Russia about
avoiding accidental conflicts between the two air
strike campaigns "as early as possible".
Analysis: Jonathan Marcus, defence and diplomatic
correspondent
Russia's decision to intervene with its air power
greatly complicates the Syrian crisis while probably
offering little additional chance of a diplomatic
resolution.

Russian sources indicate that Sukhoi Su-24
warplanes were involved, operating out of an
airbase near Latakia.
There are serious questions about who exactly the
Russian aircraft are targeting. US officials believe
that the initial Russian strikes are not in IS-held
territory, raising the possibility that Russian air
power is being utilised more in the form of close air
support for Syrian government forces against the
multiple enemies of the Assad regime.
Of course, many of these enemies are supported by
the West's Arab allies or Turkey. The warning time
given by the Russians to the Americans announcing
the start of their operations may also raise some
eyebrows, suggesting that much more detailed co-
ordination may be needed in future to avoid
incidents in Syrian airspace.