Turkey, Russia carry out first joint airstrikes in Syria

ANKARA, Jan 18 (KUNA) -- The Turkish and Russian air have reportedly launched their first-ever joint air operation against the so-called Islamic State (IS) terrorist group in Al-Bab city, north Syria, on Wednesday. The airstrikes targeted a total of 36 IS targets, Turkey's Anadolu Agency (AA) quoted Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Sergei Rudskoy as saying. Russian Su-24, Su-25 and Su-35 warplanes, in addition to Turkish F-16 and F-4 fighters, took part in the operation, Rudskoy said. Over the past two days, he said, several reconnaissance flights were carried out over the targeted region using unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones. Rudskoy described the joint operation as "highly effective." Meanwhile, the Turkish General Staff said in a statement Russian warplanes hit IS targets in southern Al-Bab city under the agreement signed by Turkey and Russia on January 12, allowing them to coordinate air operations in war-torn Syria. The IS targets were hit Wednesday during air operations at 04:00, 04:14, 08:35 and 13:20 (GMT), the statement said, adding that reconnaissance flights were carried out with drones of the US-led anti-IS coalition. (end) rs.gb