Syria: Russian airstrikes have weakened ISIS - General Ali Ayoub

The Syrian General Ali Ayoub, speaking during a press conference from Damascus on Thursday, confirmed that the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) have lost part of their military capabilities due to Russian airstrikes and the Syrian Arab Armed Forces are able to begin an offensive mission against the "terrorist groups." According to Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, from "September 30 till today [Wednesday] 112 targets have been hit" and the "intensity of the attacks is growing." Among the targets hit are 71 armoured vehicles, 19 command facilities and 23 depots with fuel and ammunition, according to the Russian Defence Ministry. The targets were spread throughout Syria, from the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa in the northeast to the outskirts of the ancient city of Palmyra, and the edges of Damascus.