Russian warplanes hit IS targets in Syria

Men stand along a crater caused by what activists said was a Russian air strike in Latamneh city on Wednesday, in the northern countryside of Hama, Syria October 2, 2015.[Photo/Agencies]

DAMASCUS - Syrian and Russian warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) positions in several areas, a military source told the state news agency SANA on Friday.

The Syrian and Russian airstrikes targeted the IS command center in the northern province of Aleppo, a weapon depot and a field camp in the Marat al-Numan area and the town of Hbait in the countryside of the northwestern province of Idlib.

The strikes also destroyed tens of rebel vehicles in the Kafr Zaita area in the countryside of the central province of Hama.

A day earlier, a military source told Xinhua that over 30 Russian war jets have recently arrived in Syria as part of the recent Russian declared strikes against the jihadi militant groups.

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 IS militant groups in different Syrian areas.

The source added that in addition to the naval Russian base in Syria's Tartus city and the airbase that is hosting the Russian warplanes in Latakia's airport of Basel al-Assad, a third base is being prepared in central Syria.

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.

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.

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.