Syria: Russian fighter jets conduct anti-terror sorties from Hmeymim Air Base

A range of Russian military aircraft were seen taking off and landing at the Hmeymim Air Base in Latakia, Thursday, as the Russian Air Force continues its anti-terror operation against the so-called Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) and other militant organisations in Syria. A group of foreign journalists were allowed entry to the air base for one day to get a closer glimpse at the inner workers of the Russian operation in Syria. The Syrian Arab Army has made gains on the ground over the last fortnight as Russian airstrikes continue to target militant groups fighting against the government. During the weekend Syrian troops reinforced their positions near the town of Quneitra in the Golan Heights, which was seized from the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group Jabhat al-Nusra on Sunday. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad visited Moscow on Tuesday to hold talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin about the ongoing operations and current situation in the Middle Eastern nation.