Report: Russian Airstrikes in Syria Were Aimed at CIA-Backed Rebels

Russian Sukhoi Su-25 fighter planes arrive at Iraq’s al-Muthanna military airbase at Baghdad airport, in Baghdad, July 1, 2014. Stringer/Reuters

 

Updated| A Russian airstrike in Syria on Wednesday was aimed at anti-regime rebels backed by the CIA and other intelligence services, U.S. officials told to The Wall Street Journal. 

Targeting American-backed fighters, who are trying to depose Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the Journal reports, could increase tensions between Washington and Moscow at time when the two countries share a common enemy: the Islamic State (ISIS).