Russia And Syria Continue Their Assault On Militants -- News Updates October 8, 2015

AFP: Syria army in 'vast offensive' backed by Russian strikes

Beirut (AFP) - Syria's army announced Thursday a "vast offensive" to wrest back territory from armed opposition groups, as NATO voiced alarm at escalating Russian military activity in the war-torn country.

Moscow has dramatically stepped up its nine-day-old air war against opponents of President Bashar al-Assad, with heavy bombing by warplanes and cruise missile strikes from the Caspian Sea.

A Syrian general said the Russian intervention had weakened the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group and other armed opponents of Assad.

But according to Washington, more than 90 percent of Russia's strikes have targeted the moderate opposition.

Russia And Syria Continue Their Assault On Militants -- News Updates October 8, 2015

Syrian army in 'vast offensive' backed by Russian strikes as NATO raises concern about 'troubling escalation' -- ABC News (Australia)
Syria extends major offensive to retake territory in west -- Reuters
Syrian official says 'wide-scale offensive' launched -- CNN
Russia-backed Syrian troops mount major offensive -- USA Today
Syria and Russia Continue Coordinated Assault on Militants -- NYT
Syrian armed forces launch large-scale offensive against ISIS - Syrian General Staff -- RT
Russian Tanks, Iranian-trained Militias Headed to Syria -- VOA
Syrian General Says Russian Strikes Aid Ground Offensive -- NYT/AP
Russian Troops Fire Artillery and Rockets in Syria -- ABC News
Insurgents shoot down helicopter in Syria's Hama province: monitor -- Reuters
Combat report: Russian jets strike 27 terrorists' facilities in Syria overnight -- RT
Russian Aircraft Destroy 27 ISIL Facilities in Syria – Defense Ministry -- Sputnik
Russia Reportedly Uses Infrared-Guided Smart Bombs Against ISIL in Syria -- Sputnik
Russian combat planes bomb IS camp, underground hideouts in Syria — defense ministry -- TASS
For Syrians In Rebel Areas, Russian Airstrikes Add To Their Misery -- NPR
Pictured: Russia's 'proof' that ISIS are using civilians as human shields in Syria during airstrikes -- Daily Mail
U.S. aircraft diverted to avoid Russian fighter in Syria -- CNN
Russian cruise missile strikes fired without advanced notice: U.S. -- Reuters
Turkey Wants NATO to Sustain Patriot Defenses -- VOA
NATO defence chiefs meet as Russia ramps up Syria campaign -- France 24
NATO, Alarmed by Russian Actions in Syria, Shores Up Defenses -- NYT
Pentagon chief warns of Russia casualties in Syria -- AFP
Russia will pay price for Syrian airstrikes, says US defence secretary -- The Guardian
'More than 90%' of Russian airstrikes in Syria have not targeted Isis, US says -- The Guardian
Russia says it’s bombing ISIS in Syria. This map shows it’s lying. -- VOX
A look at Syria rebel groups as Russia, Iran, and Assad go on the offensive -- ISW