1st LD: Russian airstrikes target top rebel commanders in Syria's Idlib

Russian warplanes struck a meeting place of top rebel commanders in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib on Wednesday, in addition to 12 other strikes targeting other rebel positions in that province, a military source told Xinhua.

The Russian airstrikes targeted commanders of the Jaish al-Fateh rebel group in Binnesh, a town in the eastern countryside of Idlib, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

It was not clear if any of those targetted were killed or injured, the source said.

Russian warplanes also carried out 12 other strikes on positions of Jaish al-Fateh, or the Conquest Army, in the province, which is largely under the control of the rebel group, the source added.

The source said the airstrikes achieved direct hits. He did not elaborate.

Jaish al-Fateh, an alliance of several rebel factions, was reportedly formed in March 2015 under the supervision and coordination of Saudi cleric Abdullah al-Muhaysini.

Some of its factions are active in the provinces of Hama and Latakia. The group, reportedly supported by Saudi Arabia and Turkey, seized most of Idlib province in northwestern Syria last year.

The group was responsible for downing a Russian helicopter earlier this month over Idlib, which resulted in the killing of all five Russian crew members. The chopper was shot down after delivering aid to Aleppo, Russian state media said. Endit