Russia continues to bomb IS terrorists in Syria

Russian strategic bombers continued to strike Islamic State (IS) terrorists in Syria on Sunday, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

Six Tu-22M3 long-range bombers took off from Russia and destroyed IS ammunition warehouses, equipment and strongholds in the southeast of Deir al-Zour province, Xinhua quoted a statement from the ministry as saying.

The warplanes were covered by Russia's Su-30SM fighters from the Hmeymim airbase in Syria. After completing the mission, the bombers returned to their base airfields.

This was the sixth airstrike by Russian strategic bombers since November 15 as Syrian government troops backed by the Russian air force were finishing expelling IS terrorists from the country.

Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russian military operations against terrorists in Syria were coming to an end, with the focus shifting to a political process.

To that end, Russia, Iran and Turkey are preparing for a Syrian National Dialogue Congress to be held in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi.

--IANS

sku/