Russian warplanes from Mediterranean carrier join Syria attacks

Louisa Loveluck and David Filipov

November 15, 2016

BEIRUT — Warplanes based on a Russian aircraft carrier hit targets across rebel-held parts of Syria on Tuesday, bringing a new attack force into the conflict as Syrian troops stepped up their offensive on the besieged city of Aleppo.

The introduction of Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov into the battle suggested the beginning of a renewed offensive by Syria and its Russian allies seeking to reclaim full control of Aleppo, a strategic northern city and one of the last urban strongholds for factions opposing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

It was the first time that carrier-based jets have been used in the battles. Russia also said a frigate also in the Mediterranean launched cruise missile strikes.

Russian officials said the airstrikes took place in Homs and Idlib province — both areas north of Damascus but not covering Aleppo. It remained unclear, however, whether the Russian warplanes also took part in the Aleppo airstrikes.

Activists and news reports said bombs had been dropped across at least four neighborhoods in the city’s eastern half, an area controlled by anti-Assad fighters.

Aleppo has been the center of fighting in Syria since last month. The government’s recapture of the city — under rebel control since 2012 — would be a heavy blow to Syria’s armed opposition and could hasten the fall of its remaining strongholds across the north of the country.

Images shared by local activists showed men and young children searching for survivors in the wreckage of a building in east Aleppo, where an estimated 250,000 people remain. The casualty count was not immediately clear.

Syrian state television reported the strikes had hit what it called “terrorist” strongholds and supply depots. But residents said the bombs had landed on civilian homes. The claims could not be independently verified.

“I am heading to my hospital,” said Modar Sheihko, an emergency nurse.

Russia — a key ally of Assad’s — has promised an all-out offensive to retake the Aleppo and civilians had been told to leave the area through humanitarian corridors to avoid “senseless deaths.”