Russian planes hit Islamic State positions south of Raqqa

The Russian military on Tuesday hit several positions reportedly held by fighters affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS) in the Raqqa region, according to a UK-based monitoring organisation.

Reports were from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), which reported that: “about 10 air strikes targeting the movements and locations of ISIS mercenaries in Rasafa desert” on Tuesday, “bringing the number to about 25 of air strikes carried out by Russian warplanes during the last 24 hours on Raqqa desert.” SOHR added: “Clashes continue between ISIS mercenaries on one hand, and members of Damascus government forces on the other hand, near the village of Khirbet al-Maqman in Rasafa desert, south of Raqqa, which is the main supply line for Damascus government forces in the desert, as ISIS is trying to control the area to cut the supply lines”.

The US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced “victory” against ISIS in Syria in March 2019 but cells continue to operate and a recent jailbreak in Hasakah contributed to more movement by these affiliates.

There are no reports of victims of the strikes.

Source: SOHR