Four Russian Cruise Missiles Miss Targets In Syria

Unidentified US officials revealed that four Russian cruise missiles did not reach their targets in Syria and hit a rural area in Iran. The missiles were launched from the Caspian Sea even as concerns on the Russia activity in the region increased. The missiles were part of the twenty-six long-range missiles Russia launched on Wednesday.

This is the first time the Kalibr cruise missiles were used in combat conditions. The missiles passed through Iraq and Iran on their way to their targets. An official said no damage or casualties were detected by the US from the errant missile strikes, which gives an indication that the missiles landed in an uninhabited area in Iran.

Russia built up its presence in Syria and conducted airstrikes against ISIS targets recently. However, it denied reports that some of their strikes did not hit their intended target. The defense ministry of Iran also dismissed the claims that four Russian cruise missiles missed their targets and called the claims “psychological warfare.”

Despite the denials, the increasing military activity of Russia in the region intensified concerns on mishaps that may fan the flames of the conflict. The increased military presence of Russia was described by the US as an attempt to support its long-time ally President Bashar Assad of Syria instead of fighting the Islamic State.

Four Russian Cruise Missiles Miss Targets In Syria - independent.co.uk

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said Russia will suffer the consequences of the situation. Carter is expecting Russian casualties in Syria in the coming days. He described the actions of Russia in Syria as “unprofessional.” He said Turkish airspace was violated by Russian aircraft, which also came close to a US drone. Carter added that Russian cruise missiles were fired without warning while their armed forces provided support to the Syrian government for a joint ground offensive.

The missile strikes and airstrikes seemed to support the ground offensive and aimed at secular forces fighting Assad in the four-year civil war in Syria.

Carter said the situation is a “fundamental strategic mistake” that will provoke and extend the civil war in Syria. Russia has continued to assert that it is aiming for the Islamic State and extremist groups operating in Syria. On the other hand, the US strategy is aimed at fighting the Islamic State and promoting a political transition removing Assad from power.

The armed forces of Syria appeared to have been motivated by the increased presence of Russia in the country. General Ali Ayoub said the offensive was aimed at terrorist groups based in the northwestern and central areas of the country.

Ayoub did not give any specific region targeted by the new offensive in a television interview. However, the chief of staff of Syria said new fighting units were created for the offensive. He said the Russian cruise missile strikes and airstrikes have reduced the combat capabilities of the Islamic State and other extremists groups as the armed forces of Syria took control of military operations and create well-equipped ground forces.

Posted by James Fried on Friday October 09 2015, 11:32 AM EST. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under World. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0