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Syria conflict: Russia launches fresh strikes | Syria conflict: Russia launches fresh strikes |
(35 minutes later) | |
Russia has launched a series of air strikes in Syria for a second day. | Russia has launched a series of air strikes in Syria for a second day. |
The strikes reportedly targeted sites in the north-west held by the Army of Conquest rebel alliance, as well as areas in Homs and Hama provinces. | The strikes reportedly targeted sites in the north-west held by the Army of Conquest rebel alliance, as well as areas in Homs and Hama provinces. |
Russia said it had carried out eight strikes overnight, and that it had hit 12 Islamic State (IS) positions hit in 24 hours. | |
The US fears Russian strikes have been targeting non-IS opponents of Russia's ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. | |
Russia says its strikes have destroyed a command centre and two arms depots belonging to IS. | |
Thursday's strikes reportedly hit areas near the strategic town of Jisr al-Shughour, as well areas in Idlib province and Hama province further south, according to Lebanon's al-Mayadeen TV. | Thursday's strikes reportedly hit areas near the strategic town of Jisr al-Shughour, as well areas in Idlib province and Hama province further south, according to Lebanon's al-Mayadeen TV. |
Rebel activists also reported strikes at Ghantu in Homs province, close to where some of Wednesday's strikes hit. | Rebel activists also reported strikes at Ghantu in Homs province, close to where some of Wednesday's strikes hit. |
The Army of Conquest (Jaysh al-Fatah) alliance had made advances in the north-west in recent months, taking Idlib and Jisr al-Shughour from pro-government forces. | |
The alliance includes the al-Nusra Front, al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria, and the hard-line Islamist group Ahrar al-Sham, as well as several more moderate Islamist groups. | |
All are opposed to IS and have fought bloody battles with the jihadist group. | All are opposed to IS and have fought bloody battles with the jihadist group. |
More than 50 planes and helicopters are involved in the Russian military operation in Syria, Russia's defence ministry said. | |
The US, which is targeting IS with air strikes in both Syria and Iraq, says it was informed about Russia's air strikes only an hour before they began on Wednesday. | The US, which is targeting IS with air strikes in both Syria and Iraq, says it was informed about Russia's air strikes only an hour before they began on Wednesday. |
Nato said there had been little co-ordination by Russia with US-led forces. | Nato said there had been little co-ordination by Russia with US-led forces. |
The French defence minister said the strikes had not targeted IS, while US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said Russia's approach was "tantamount to pouring gasoline on the fire" and "doomed to fail" because of the breadth of Syrian opposition to Mr Assad. | The French defence minister said the strikes had not targeted IS, while US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said Russia's approach was "tantamount to pouring gasoline on the fire" and "doomed to fail" because of the breadth of Syrian opposition to Mr Assad. |
But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said his government stood by its targets. | But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said his government stood by its targets. |
"The rumours that the target of these air strikes was not IS positions are unfounded," he said. "Talk began that civilians were hurt by air strikes. We have no such data." | "The rumours that the target of these air strikes was not IS positions are unfounded," he said. "Talk began that civilians were hurt by air strikes. We have no such data." |
Mr Lavrov said there was a need to "establish channels of communication to avoid any unintended incidents". His US counterpart, John Kerry, said talks would be held "as soon as possible," maybe as early as Thursday. | |
Syria's civil war | Syria's civil war |
What's the human cost? | What's the human cost? |
More than 250,000 Syrians have been killed and a million injured in four-and-a-half years of armed conflict, which began with anti-government protests before escalating into a full-scale civil war. | More than 250,000 Syrians have been killed and a million injured in four-and-a-half years of armed conflict, which began with anti-government protests before escalating into a full-scale civil war. |
And the survivors? | And the survivors? |
More than 11 million others have been forced from their homes, four million of them abroad, as forces loyal to President Assad and those opposed to his rule battle each other - as well as jihadist militants from IS and other groups. Growing numbers of refugees are going to Europe. | More than 11 million others have been forced from their homes, four million of them abroad, as forces loyal to President Assad and those opposed to his rule battle each other - as well as jihadist militants from IS and other groups. Growing numbers of refugees are going to Europe. |
How has the world reacted? | How has the world reacted? |
Regional and world powers have also been drawn into the conflict. Iran and Russia, along with Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, are propping up the Alawite-led government. Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are backing the Sunni-dominated opposition, along with the US, UK and France. | Regional and world powers have also been drawn into the conflict. Iran and Russia, along with Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, are propping up the Alawite-led government. Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are backing the Sunni-dominated opposition, along with the US, UK and France. |
The battle for Syria and Iraq in maps | The battle for Syria and Iraq in maps |
Syria's civil war explained | Syria's civil war explained |
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this story? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this story? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or please use the form below: | Or please use the form below: |