Russia deployed its bomber jets from an Iranian airbase to bomb ISIS and militant targets in Syria on Tuesday. It is the first known instance in which Russia has conducted strikes from Iran.
Russia deployed its Tupolev-22M3 long-range bombers and Sukhoi-34 fighter-bombers from the Hamadan base in Iran, striking “numerous militants” in Aleppo, Deir el-Zor and Idlib. A reported five “major ammunition depots, training camps and three command posts” were destroyed in the attacks.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed, stating following the attack that “On August 16 Tu-22M3 long-range bombers and Su-34 frontline bombers, flying with a full bomb load from the Hamedan air base conducted a group air strike against targets of the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist groups in the provinces of Aleppo, Deir Ezzor and Idlib.”
Iran’s Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani, remarking on the incident, stated that Russia and Iran “enjoy strategic cooperation in the fight against terrorism in Syria and share their facilities and capacities to this end.”
This article originally appeared on Behold Israel, August 16, 2016, and reposted with permission.