Russian warships fire cruise missiles targeting Isis in Syria

Rockets shot from frigate and submarine in Mediterranean intended to take out militant's stronghold around ancient city of Palmyra

(REUTERS)

Russian warships in the Mediterranean Sea have fired four cruise missiles at Isis positions in Syria, the Russian defence ministry said on Wednesday.

The ministry said in a statement that the Admiral Essen frigate and the Krasnodar submarine launched the missiles at Isis targets in the area of the ancient city of Palmyra. There was no information on when the missiles were launched.

Russia, a staunch Damascus ally, has been providing air cover to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's offensive on the Isis since 2015.

Syrian troops backed by Russian airstrikes captured Palmyra in March last year and Moscow even flew in one of its best classical musicians to play a triumphant concert at Palmyra's ancient theatre. Isis forces, however, recaptured Palmyra eight months later before Syrian government troops drove them out again in March this year.

Fighting around Palmyra continues.

Russia's defense ministry said its Wednesday statement that the strikes successfully hit IS heavy weapons and fighters whom the group who had deployed and moved to Palmyra from the Isis stronghold of Raqqa, the de facto capital of the Sunni militant group and its self-proclaimed caliphate.

Moscow said it had notified the US, Turkish and Israeli militaries beforehand of the upcoming strike. It added that the Russian strike was promptly executed following the order, a testimony to the navy's high readiness and capabilities.

Russia has been busy mediating between Assad and Turkey and the West who seek his removal. Earlier this month Russia, Iran and Turkey agreed to establish safe zones in Syria, signing on to a Russian plan under which Assad's air force would halt flights over designated areas across the war-torn country. Russia says maps delineating the zones should be ready by 4 June.

Copyright Associated Press