Russian Bombers Hit IS Targets in Deir al-Zor

Russian Tu-22M3 long-range bombers conducted an airstrike against self-styled Islamic State terrorists near the eastern Syrian city of Abu-Kemal in Deir al-Zor Province, the country’s defense ministry said on Saturday.  The bombers provided support for the advancing Syrian Army troops, targeting munitions and weapon stockpiles, as well as field headquarters of IS terrorists, RT reported. Su-30SM fighter jets scrambled from the Khmeimim Airbase in western Syria gave cover for the long-range bombers.  The Tu-22M3 planes flew to Syria from Russian airfields though Iranian and Iraqi airspace and returned home following the successful strikes. On Friday Russian-backed Syrian regime forces took full control of Deir al-Zor, which was the last city where IS still had a presence after being expelled from Hawija and Raqa last month.