Russian Fighters 'Accidentally Targeted US-Supported Rebels'

An American commander of the coalition against the 'Islamic State' in Iraq and Syria stated that a Russian airstrike in northern Syria accidentally targeted several US-backed rebels who were fighting against ISIS. General Stephen Townsend mentioned on March 2 that this attack occurred on Wednesday in a village near al-Bab, Syria, and that Russian fighters likely believed they were bombing positions of the group known as the 'Islamic State.' Al-Bab and its surroundings are considered important areas and the last part of Aleppo under the control of the so-called Islamic State. The Turkish army and the rebels supported by it, as well as US-backed militias and Syrian army forces and their supporters, are all engaged in battles in these areas. Al-Bab was the site of a major explosion last week that left nearly 60 dead and was attributed to ISIS. General Townsend stated that the potential error occurred in a 'highly complex war zone' where 'three armies and one enemy force' are all present within a one-kilometer area. According to the commander of the coalition against ISIS, US military advisors were located four kilometers from the airstrike on February 28 and used a 'deconfliction channel' established to communicate between Russia and the US to inform Russian pilots. The US Army commander added that the information was immediately relayed to the Russian pilot, who then ceased bombing the location. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that 'neither the Syrian Air Force nor the Russian Air Force conducted airstrikes in the areas specified by the US,' which indicate the presence of the rebels supported by that country. General Townsend also believes that Russian fighters thought they were attacking ISIS personnel. In any case, the ISIS group had left the area before the attacks, and the so-called 'Syrian Arab Coalition,' which is supported by the US, had taken control of the location. Previously, airstrikes, whether by coalition forces or by Russian forces supporting the Assad regime, had targeted positions or other supported groups. Although one side claimed that these attacks were accidental or denied their occurrence in some cases, the other side usually protested. In November 2015, Turkey summoned the Russian ambassador in protest of Russian airstrikes against Syrian Turkmen positions. The coalition's airstrike on a Syrian army base in Deir ez-Zor faced a response from the Russian delegation at the UN, which stated, 'There is a very strong suspicion that this attack by the US was intentional.' The United States accused Russia last October of conducting most of its attacks not against ISIS or al-Qaeda affiliates, but against 'moderate opposition.' The Syrian army 're-entered Palmyra.' Another news reported by agencies on Wednesday regarding the Syrian civil war was the return of Bashar al-Assad's forces and the militias supporting the Syrian president to the ancient city of Palmyra. Reuters, citing media affiliated with Hezbollah in Lebanon, reported that the Syrian army and its allies have captured the Palmyra fortress on the western outskirts of the city. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also stated that Assad's forces are on standby to launch an assault on areas held by ISIS at any moment. Russia has also provided air support for this operation. Last December, the self-proclaimed Islamic State regained control of the historic city of Palmyra. The control of Palmyra occurred while the army and Assad's supporters were making significant advances in Aleppo. ISIS had previously held Palmyra and had destroyed its ancient sites and displayed various forms of execution and torture of its hostages there.