KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Wednesday 30th September 2015, Russia conducted its first airstrike in Syria against militant’s hideouts.
Moscow carried out the air mission near the city of Homs according to reports by CNN.
Moscow had communicated with Washington to halt its military attacks in Syria citing their fighter jets would be flying over the territory.
According to a US official, Russian surveillance drones also have been spotted flying over northwestern Syria last week to collect intelligence on potential targets.
The drones fly daily missions above Latakia, Hama, and Idlib, according to the intelligence assessment.
ASSESSMENT & SUMMARY
There seem to be a tussle between Washington and Moscow as US reportedly refused to comply with Russia demand to take their warplanes out of Syria.
In the past few weeks, Russia has build-up it military capabilities to Syria ranging from warplanes and T-90 tanks which have been stationed to a base near the coastal city of Latakia.
Earlier on Wednesday, the upper house of the Russian parliament had given President Vladimir Putin a nod of approval to use the Russian air force in Syrian territory.
US allege that Russia’s commitment to the Syrian government runs only to counter US current policy which is calling to remove Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Russia is an ally of President Bashar al-Assad and massive deployment has raised concerns in Washington that Moscow is seeking to establish a military outpost in Syria in support of his government in Damascus.
