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RUSSIA SLAMS US 'FRIENDLY FIRE'

US jets hit Syrian army base, 80 soldiers killed

BEIRUT, September 17, 2016

At least 80 Syrian soldiers were killed in a US-led coalition air strike at an army position near Deir al-Zor airport on Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group said, citing a source at the airport.

Russian jets had been bombing in the same area at the same time, the Observatory said.

The source at the airport said the air strike had paved the way for Islamic State fighters to overun the position at Jebel Tharda, the Observatory said.

Following the attack, Russian defence ministry officials have slammed the US offensive stating that
"If the strikes were a targeting error, the bombings were evidence of Washington's stubborn refusal to co-ordinate its military action in Syria with Russia."

A fierce battle between the Syrian army and Islamic state militants was now under way, it said.

Earlier, Syria's army general command said warplanes from the US-led coalition fighting against Islamic State bombed a Syrian army position at Jebel Tharda at 5 pm (1400 GMT) on Saturday,.

The air strike was "conclusive evidence" that the U.S. and its allies support the jihadist group, the state media reported citing the Syrian army.-Reuters




Tags: Russia | US jets | friendly fire |

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