The Latest: Russia: US-led strike killed 62 Syrian troops http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/latest-russia-syrian-rebels-violating-truce-42157861
Sep. 17, 2016 2:18 PM EDT 1 photo - [image: Almazbek Atambayev, Vladimir Putin] <http://binaryapi.ap.org/972e7d41909f4cec9018dc0a1166f367/460x.jpg> Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speak each... Read more BEIRUT (AP) — The Latest on the conflict in Syria, where a fragile cease-fire has entered its fifth day. (all times local): 9:15 p.m. *A Russian Defense Ministry spokesman says 62 Syrian soldiers have been reported killed in a U.S.-led coalition airstrike on a military base.* *Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov says the airstrike on Saturday took place near the Deir el-Zour airport *in eastern Syria and was carried out by two F-16s and two A-10s. He did not identify the planes' country affiliation, but said they were part of the international coalition. Konashenkov says Syrian authorities told the Russians that 62 soldiers were killed and more than 100 wounded. He says the planes came from the direction of the border with Iraq. Russia is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government and has been carrying out airstrikes on behalf of his forces since last year. Russia and the United States brokered a cease-fire in Syria that took effect on Monday and has largely held despite dozens of alleged violations. ___ 8:45 p.m. *Syria's military says the U.S.-led coalition struck its base in the eastern province of Deir el-Zour, allowing the Islamic State group to advance in the fiercely contested area.* *There was no immediate comment from Washington. If confirmed, it would be the first time the coalition has targeted Syrian government forces.* *In a statement Saturday, the Syrian military says the airstrikes caused casualties and damage to equipment, and enabled an IS advance on the hill overlooking the air base.* *The statement calls it a "serious and blatant attack on Syria and its military" and "firm proof of the U.S. support of Daesh and other terrorist groups." Daesh is an Arabic acronym for IS.* Syrian President Bashar Assad's government views all those fighting against it as "terrorists," and has long accused the U.S. and other rebel supporters of backing extremists. ___ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to Mark Crispin Miller's "News From Underground" newsgroup. If you'd like to donate to News From Underground, please visit http://markcrispinmiller.com/donate - we appreciate your ongoing support. Ways to unsubscribe, 1) send a blank email to newsfromunderground+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. PLEASE NOTE: you must unsubscribe using the SAME email with which you subscribed; 2) go to http://groups.google.com/group/newsfromunderground and click on the "Unsubscribe or change membership" link in the yellow bar at the top of the page, then click the "Unsubscribe" button on the next page. For more News From Underground, visit http://markcrispinmiller.com
