Russia has launched airstrikes against Daesh (ISIL) terrorists at the request of the Syrian government to defend the country from a US-led invasion, an American political commentator and journalist says.
On Wednesday morning, Russian fighter jets carried out their first airstrike against ISIL terrorists near the Syrian city of Homs, which has seen some of the fiercest fighting between Syrian forces and foreign-sponsored militants since 2011.
Russia started the air campaign after the upper house of its parliament gave President Vladimir Putin the green light to use force in Syria. The government of President Bashar al-Assad had requested for Russian military support against Daesh.
Russia acts in coordination with Syria
In an interview with Press TV on Thursday, Don DeBar said Russia is implementing its defense agreements with Syria.
“The Syrian government, which is the legitimate government of Syria according to every measure by the UN… has agreements with Russia — mutual self-defense agreements, arms agreements and others — that are being implemented.”
“Russia is acting in coordination with the Syrian government to defend Syria from an invasion. This is an invasion, this is not a rebellion. They are not Syrians that are doing this fighting,” he emphasized.