Russia launches airstrikes in Syria but didn't target ISIS strongholds

Who are they targeting?

Russia conducted its first airstrikes in Syria on Wednesday. 

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Following reports of Russian familiarization flights, it came as no surprise to hear official reports Russian airstrikes have begun.
Only yesterday CNN reported Russia was ready to strike, saying "They could start at any moment. They are ready." 

The Russian Defense Ministry reported warplanes targeted eight ISIS positions. However, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter reported, "I want to be careful about confirming information, but it does appear that they (Russian airstrikes) were in areas where there probably were not ISIL forces."
Round the clock surveillance indicated the Russian report was fabricated.
"The result of this kind of action will inevitably, simply be to inflame the civil war in Syria," Carder added.
Tuesday's report included comments indicating United States officials believe Russia's movements indicated they were focusing on something other than ISIS.
General Phillip Breedlove, NATO's Supreme Alied Commander said, "We see some very sophisticated air defenses going into those airfields. We see some very sophisticated air-to-air aircraft going into these airfields. I have not seen ISIL flying any airplanes that require SA15s or SA22s. I have not seen ISIL flying any airplanes that require sophisticated air-to-air capabilities."
"I'm looking at the capabilities and the capacities that are being created and I determine from that what might be their intent. These very sophisticated air defense capabilities are not about ISIL. They're about something else," he added.
In regards to the airstrikes happening Wednesday, a senior U.S. administration official told CNN's Elise Labott that an airstrike near Homs "has no strategic purpose" and "shows they are not there to go after ISIL."
Syrian state-run news agency SANA reported Russian warplanes targeted "ISIS dens" in al-Rastan, Talbiseh and Zafaraniya in Homs province, Al-Tilol al-Hmer in Qunaitra province, Aydoun -a village on the outskirts of the town of Salamiya- Deer Foul, between Hama and Homs and the outskirts of Salmiya.
The official continued, stating the United States had no plan to prevent the strikes and that Russian planes were not flying in areas where the United States is operating.

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