Russia jets fly from Iran for more anti-terror strikes in Syria

Rasa - Russia says its warplanes have launched airstrikes against terrorists in Syria from an Iranian air base for a third straight day.

News ID: 422790

Date: 18 August 2016 - 23:34

RNA‌ - In an online statement released on Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry said its Tu-22M3 long-range bombers and Su-34 warplanes took off from bases in Russia and Iran and struck positions held by the Takfiri Daesh terrorists in Syria's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr.

The defense ministry released footage showing the aircraft during operation.

The Russian military aircraft destroyed six command posts and a large number of militants and military equipment belonging to the Takfiri elements, the statement said.

“After the successful completion of the bombing raid all aircraft returned safely to their respective bases,” it added.

Russia first announced on Tuesday that its planes had used a base in western Iran to carry out aerial assaults in Syria.

Senior Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi said on Wednesday that Russia’s use of the Nojeh air base near the city of Hamedan for refueling was approved by Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

Boroujerdi, who is the chairman of the Iranian parliament's Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy, said the move was not against Iran’s Constitution but rather part of Iran’s cooperation with Russia, Syria and Iraq against terrorism.

Iran and Russia have been assisting the Syrian government in its fight against foreign-backed terrorist groups, including Daesh.

Russia has been conducting airstrikes against Daesh and other terrorist groups in Syria at the Syrian government’s request since September 2015.

Iran has also been providing advisory assistance to the Syrian government.

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