Russia: Air force hits 86 ISIS targets in Syria

Russia’s air force has made 88 sorties, hitting 86 Islamic State targets in Syria in the last 24 hours, Interfax news agency reported on Tuesday, citing a defense ministry representative.

The targets were hit in Ragga, Hama, Idlib, Latakia and Aleppo regions, it added.

President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday Russia is not striving for leadership over Syria, adding that existing cooperation with Western countries over the Syrian conflict was not enough.

“How is it possible to work together?” Putin said at an investment forum in Moscow, adding that Washington declined to share intelligence on Syria.

Russia, the United States and Europe should encourage political dialogue between the sides of the Syrian conflict, Putin added.

Putin also said that Turkey was one of Russia’s most important partners, and that Russia needed to understand how to build relations with Turkey to fight terrorism.

Reuters