Russia bombing US-backed fighters in Syria, says US official

Washington: Russia has bombed US-backed fighters in southern Syria, according to a US official in Washington, who said the aggressive action by Moscow raises “serious concern.”

“Today, Russian aircraft conducted a series of air strikes near al-Tanf against Syrian Counter-ISIL forces that included individuals who have received US support,” said the senior defence official on Thursday, who requested anonymity.

“Russian aircraft have not been active in this area of southern Syria for some time, and there were no Syrian regime or Russian ground forces in the vicinity,” the official said.