NATO Claims Russian Airstrikes in Syria Did Not Target ISIL

NATO expressed deep concern with regard to the Russian military build-up in Syria and especially the attacks by the Russian Air Force on Hama, Homs, and Idlib which led to civilian casualties.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — NATO said Monday it is concerned that Russian attacks in several Syrian regions allegedly led to civilian casualties and did not target the Islamic State.

"Allies expressed their deep concern with regard to the Russian military build-up in Syria and especially the attacks by the Russian Air Force on Hama, Homs, and Idlib which led to civilian casualties and did not target Da’esh [Islamic State]," NATO said in a statement.

Russia’s Sukhoi Su-25 fighter jets, Su-24M and Su-34 bombers have been conducting precision airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) targets in Syria since September 30, following a request from Syrian President Bashar Assad.

According to the Defense Ministry, the Russian aircraft have been fitted with equipment that allows them to conduct "absolutely precise" airstrikes against ISIL throughout Syria.

Earlier in October, Syrian Ambassador to Russia Riad Haddad confirmed that Syrian Army strikes, supported by the Russian Air Force, were carried out against armed terrorist organizations and not against political opposition factions or civilians.