It remains unclear if Russia is targeting ISIS in Syria
- 9 years ago
A day after Russia launched its first airstrike in Syria, it remains unclear who was targeted - the terrorist group ISIS or other, perhaps more moderate, opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters Thursday morning that it was too early to evaluate the country's military operation in Syria, according to the state-run news agency ITAR-Tass.
"I think the Russians have made clear that they're not interested in provoking a conflict," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said.
And unlike Carter, who described the Russian means of informing the United States of its airstrikes launch as "unprofessional," Earnest shrugged off any breach in procedure, saying the level of "upset and surprise" at the White House over Russia's moves was "quite low" given Moscow's consistent support for al-Assad .
A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters Thursday morning that it was too early to evaluate the country's military operation in Syria, according to the state-run news agency ITAR-Tass.
"I think the Russians have made clear that they're not interested in provoking a conflict," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said.
And unlike Carter, who described the Russian means of informing the United States of its airstrikes launch as "unprofessional," Earnest shrugged off any breach in procedure, saying the level of "upset and surprise" at the White House over Russia's moves was "quite low" given Moscow's consistent support for al-Assad .