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Over 30 Russian warplanes in Syria ready to strike jihadists: source

Xinhua, October 1, 2015 Adjust font size:

Over 30 Russian war jets have recently arrived in Syria as part of the recent Russian declared strikes against the jihadi militant groups, a well-informed source told Xinhua Thursday.

The number of fighter jets that are ready to participate in the airstrikes against the jihadi groups in Syria exceed 30 warplanes, the source said on condition of anonymity.

He added that the jets will target the positions of the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front and the Islamic State (IS) militant groups in different Syrian areas.

The Russian warplanes started Wednesday its airstrikes against the rebel positions in several Syrian areas, marking the first Russian military involvement in the war on the terrorist groups in Syria.

The strikes started just hours after Russia's Federation Council, the upper house of parliament, granted President Vladimir Putin approval to send armed forces to Syria, Russian Presidential Administration Chief Sergei Ivanov said.

According to Ivanov, only air forces would be used by Russia in Syria to fight against the IS militants at the request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Damascus has confirmed it had asked Russia for military aid, saying the Russian air force aid to Syria has come upon the request of President Bashar al-Assad, according to the state news agency SANA.

"Sending Russian air force to Syria came upon the request of the Syrian state, which came through a letter sent by President Bashar al-Assad to President Vladimir Putin, which include an invitation to send a Russian air force as part of Putin's initiative to counter terrorism," SANA said, citing a statement from the presidential media office in Damascus.

A couple of weeks ago, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said in an interview that his government could ask for a Russian military aid if necessary. A day later, Russian officials said Moscow is ready to provide aid to Syria.

The Russian leadership has recently amplified its military aid to the Syrian military forces. Russian officials have recently stressed that Moscow will continue providing military aid, including specialists, to Damascus.

Russian officials said the increasing military supplies aim at combating terrorism in accordance with international law. Endit