Pentagon chief accuses Russia of escalating Syria's civil war

US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said that Russia is escalating Syria's civil war by targeting the moderate opposition. He stressed that Russia's attempts to help Assad are "tantamount to pouring gasoline on fire".

US Defense secretary Michael Fallon said that the majority of Russian bombs are not targeting IS, but killing civilians and rebels. The Turkish Foreign Ministry released a statement jointly with six countries calling on Russia to stop airstrikes against the Syrian opposition and civilians.