FILE PHOTO: Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft before departing for its permanent base in Russia from Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. © Vadim Grishankin / Sputnik
Russian and Turkish warplanes conducted joint strikes against ISIS terrorists near al-Bab in the Aleppo province on January 21, the Russian Defense Ministry said. 3 Russian attack aircraft [two Su-24M and one Su-34] and 4 Turkish warplanes [two F-16 and two F-4] were involved hit 22 targets. It’s important to note that the operation was coordinated with the Syrian military.
“On January 21, the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Turkish Air Force conducted a new joint operation striking Daesh group near Al-Bab in the province of Aleppo,” the ministry said.
On January 22, Russian warplanes also bombed ISIS targets in the area, using info provided by the US-led coalition headquarters. Airstrikes reportedly destroyed several ammunition depots, military hardware and fuel products. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, two coalition jets participated in the operation.
“On January 22, the Russian command center at the Hmeymim airbase has received coordinates of Daesh targets in Al-Bab, Aleppo province, via the ‘direct line’ from the US-led coalition headquarters. After further data verification with the assistance of unmanned aircraft and space reconaissance, the Russian Aerospace Forces and two jets of the international coalition have conducted airstrikes on the terrorists’ targets,” the Russian Defense Ministry statement said.
US Air Force Colonel John Dorrian, a spokesman for the US-led coalition, denied the reports about the joint operation but confirmed providing the info to Moscow.
The situation remains unclear.
Air forces working together against ISUS, even US coalition admits to giving target info for strikes. This is all good. Appears that an agreement has been worked out. Daesh will suffer.
Sharing intelligence (including targets) and executing joint air-strikes are two different things.
…
I would like to ask SouthFront and the pundits who are posting various opinions on this site a question:
I read on this site a few days ago a piece of news that there is a huge force amassed bu the US-backed SDF in NorthEast Syria. This (potential, presumed) force is made mostly of Arabs – not Kurds! – and it is located in Kurdish YPG held territories. It has been trained by US (other European NATO states) and by the dreaded turks.
The idea mentioned was that it is a force built for one purpose: to take ar-Raqqah from Daesh and keep it for this Syrian “opposition”. That is to not leave it in Kurdish hands – it seems Raqqah is not friendly for Kurds – and to keep it out of Damascus control.
Then umber mentioned was astronomic: 23,000 Arab fighters. Maybe some of them are non-Syrians.
If this is true, even if the number is inflated, it is the newest great danger and enemy of Damascus. It seems even more powerful than the rest of Daesh.
What do you know about this case? I may have misread …
@ Gelu
I would have preferred the title to say “With Turkey”, but the quote from Russian Defense Ministry says:
“… the Russian Aerospace Forces and two jets of the international coalition
have conducted airstrikes on the terrorists’ targets,” the Russian
Defense Ministry statement said.”
The title corresponds to the info coming from the Russian government as quoted and the US denied such allegations.
Yet again Russia wishes to force the US to be its “buddy”. This is beyond ridiculous..