Russia hit 1623 targets in Syria since start of bombing campaign

Russia on Friday said its airforce had destroyed 1,623 "terrorist targets" in Syria in a month-old bombing campaign to support forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.

"Overall our planes made 1,391 sorties, destroying 1,623 terrorist targets," including 51 training camps and 131 storage facilities, Andrei Kartapolov, a senior defence ministry official, said in televised comments.

Kartapolov added that 249 communication and command posts, 35 car bomb workshops, 371 fortified positions and 786 field camps and bases were also destroyed.

Russia has carried out strikes since September 30, publishing nearly daily information about the campaign it says targets primarily Islamic State jihadists.

The US and its allies -- which are carrying out a separate bombing campaign -- says Moscow has however concentrated on other groups which oppose both IS and Assad.

The Russian military has claimed its strikes have caused panic and mass desertion among the terrorist ranks, but the Syrian army's ground offensive has seen mixed results as it lost ground after capturing several towns earlier this month.

"It is premature to talk about complete victory over the terrorists in Syria," Kartapolov said.

"Despite considerable losses and mass desertion, militants continue to resist government forces in several areas. However all of their attempts to counter-attack have been thwarted."

Kartapolov also claimed that militants with Al-Qaeda affiliate Nusra Front and Islamic State group, who have been fighting each other for months, have "joined forces" in Hama province.

The latest bombing claims come as Russia's foreign minister is meeting with his counterparts from 17 other countries involved in the Syria conflict -- including the US and Iran -- in the broadest diplomatic push yet to find a solution to the crisis.

Source: AFP