Russian jets reportedly bombed US-backed rebels in Syria

Syrian opposition groups report that Russia has carried out its first airstrikes in the country, targeting rebel-held areas in northeastern Homs province.

Videos shared on social media showed what the groups say were Russian Su-24 and Su-25 aircraft flying over the area and the aftermath of the aerial bombings, with Syrian civil-defense members trying to pull out victims from collapsed buildings. Other clips showed children hit by shrapnel and people bleeding at the local hospital.

The French TV channel TF1 had filmed Russian military jets, cargo planes, and attack helicopters arriving at Latakia airport on Sunday.

The Syrian opposition said the airstrikes hit al-Lataminah, Zaafrana, and Talbisah, areas held by the Western-backed Free Syrian Army, the Al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, and other Islamist groups such as Jaish al-Islam. Opposition-linked groups posted the names of 15 people who were killed in the airstrikes in Talbisah on Twitter.

Hama media posted videos and photos of purported Russian airstrikes in al-Lataminah:

Russian jets also reportedly hit a Syrian rebel group that was receiving US anti-tank missiles:

Other clips allegedly showed the Su-25s and Su-24s carrying out the bombings:

The alleged raid came after the Syrian presidency confirmed on Twitter that it had requested the Russian air force to launch airstrikes in the country against "terrorists."

Russia's upper house of parliament approved on Wednesday the military to be deployed in Syria to target airstrikes against the Islamic State in the country.

Senior Kremlin official Sergey Ivanov ruled out the use of ground troops and said the step involved only the use of the air force. Satellite images from Syria have revealed a build-up of Russian air power at a new base outside Latakia.

Russia's newest fighter bomber, the SU-34, or Fullback, was reportedly flown into Latakia on Tuesday.

UPDATE: A senior US official has told CNN that Russia conducted its first airstrikes in Syria, near Homs.

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