Russian aircraft destroy 5 IS weapons depots in Syria

(Baonghean.vn) - The Russian Defense Ministry said on August 16 that five large weapons depots of the self-proclaimed Islamic State organization IS near Aleppo, Syria were attacked by Russian Tu-22M3 and Su-34 fighter jets.destroy.

A Tu-22M3 aircraft drops bombs on IS targets in Syria. Photo: Russian Defense Ministry

"On August 16, Tu-23M3 and Su-34 long-range bombers, taking off from the Hamadan airbase in Iran, carried out airstrikes against the Islamic State organization and the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group in the provinces of Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor and Idlib, Syria," the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The Russian Defense Ministry added that Russian bombers also destroyed three command bases and training camps, killing "a significant number" of terrorists in Serakab, Al-Bab, Aleppo and Deir Ez-Zor, Syria.

The Tu-22M3 is a Russian long-range strategic bomber capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Previously, Russia used the Tu-22M3 to carry out airstrikes against IS forces in Syria from Russian airspace.

Meanwhile, the Su-34 is a fighter jet that has been used by Russia in the fight against extremist Islamic organizations in Syria since 2015.

Russia’s latest attack shows that it is expanding its role and presence in the Middle East. Previously, Moscow asked Iran and Iraq to allow Russia to fire cruise missiles over their airspace from the Caspian Sea to destroy targets in Syria.

Thanh Hien

(According to Sputniknews, Reuters)