Russian jet fighters attack ISIL positions in eastern Syria

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that six Russian Tupolev Tu-22M3 bombers conducted the “concentrated” air raids against Daesh targets to the southwest, east and northeast of the city on Sunday.

The aerial attacks wiped out two militant command posts, six arms depots, vehicles and “a large number” of Daesh militants, the statement added.

Daesh controls large parts of Dayr al-Zawr city as well as most of the province with the same name and has engaged in clashes with the Syrian army forces for control of a key military airbase there.

On September 30, 2015, Russia began air campaign against Daesh and other terrorist groups upon a request by the Damascus government.

Last month, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad hailed the Russian air campaign in support of the Syrian army, saying it has helped the Syrian soldiers advance against the Takfiri elements operating in the Arab country.

Since March 2011, Syria has been gripped by militancy it blames on some Western states and their regional allies.

The Takfiri militants operating in the Middle Eastern state have suffered major setbacks over the past few months as the Syrian army has managed to liberate several areas.

United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura estimates that over 400,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict. The UN has stopped its official casualty count in Syria, citing its inability to verify the figures it receives from various sources.

KD